Your home is most likely where you spend the majority of your time; and because of this, energy costs in your home can quickly add up. This is why weatherproofing is so crucial. If your home has gaps, or leaks air to the outside elements, then your home will undoubtedly require more energy to heat or cool. This can have an impact not only on the environment but also your wallet.
Ultimate Guide to Weatherproofing
Follow these simple guidelines to make sure the temperature in your home is comfortable, no matter what the weather is doing outside.
Weather-stripping Works
Most air leaks in the home happen around windows, attic entryways, and around exterior doors and outlets. Applying weather-stripping to these areas can be an effective way to keep outdoor elements from entering into your home. Depending on the type of air leak, you’ll want to consider your weather-stripping options:
- Compression weather-stripping is an excellent and durable choice for sealing paneled or “sashed” windows as well as doors that swing open.
- Foam weather-stripping works well for sliding doors, typical windows, or doors that swing open.
- Door bottom or threshold weather-stripping, as the name suggests, is for sealing the areas at the bottoms of exterior doors.
- V-shaped weather-stripping strips are generally vinyl or bronze and form a “v” seal when the door or window is closed.
Caulk It Up
Experts estimate that a typical home has many small air leaks around windows and doors that can add up to the equivalent of one open window. That certainly isn’t very energy efficient during severe weather! Luckily, it is an easy thing to fix. Using a caulking gun is both easy and effective in combatting air leaks around your home. An easy way to check for air leaks is to run a lit candle or incense stick around exterior walls where you suspect a draft. If the flame flickers or the incense smoke moves suddenly in a certain area, then you’ve got an air leak that needs sealed.
Caulk leaks around the floor of your home first, paying particular attention to areas with air leak potential, such as dryer vents, cable and internet wiring, and attic doors and windows; then work your way up. Invest in a high quality caulk and fill any small gaps or replace older caulking that may be chipped or cracked.
Draw the Curtains
This is an effective and inexpensive way to add more energy efficiency to your home’s windows without investing in costly new windows for your home. Hang heavy drapes to seal off all windows in your home during the winter months, particularly in rooms that go unused or are extra drafty despite weather-stripping and caulking.
Draft Stoppers Can Help
Insulate your home’s exterior doors a bit better by adding draft stoppers to the bottoms of the doors. You may have seen these sold at department stores disguised as cute animals like snakes or giraffes, but they are simple to DIY as well. Even if your door has threshold weather-stripping, an extra layer of protection from a draft stopper can aid in keeping your home even more energy efficient.
Insulate Your Home and Don’t Forget the Ductwork!
The most effective way to protect the interior of your home from the outside elements is to make sure that it is properly insulated. Everywhere in our home should be insulated, and it’s especially important to have proper attic and roof insulation.
Leaky ductwork can create problems that will make it very difficult for your HVAC system to maintain a comfortable temperature within your home. The experts at Hader can help. We offer comprehensive assessments on your home’s insulation and can also assess how well your current ductwork is sealed. Give us a call today to find out more about how our comprehensive home assessments can help make your home more energy efficient and adequately guarded against the elements.
Call us today! 513-612-9201
