The cold months of winter can be an easy reminder to cross some home maintenance projects off your list. Drafty rooms, dampness along windows and doors, and inconsistent temperatures throughout your home could be signs that it’s time to winter-proof your home.
Weatherizing your home can regulate temperatures and keep everyone a little more comfortable. You may also save money on your energy bill by sealing off leaks so warm air stays where it belongs.
Here are some simple ways to weatherize your home this winter season.
Check insulation
Depending on the age of the home, layout and other factors, it’s possible that installing new insulation is in order.
Well-insulated attic, flooring and crawlspaces can allow for temperatures inside the home to hold better and may also reduce energy costs, among other benefits. Solid home insulation also means less stress on your central heating and air system. This is the type of project that can be accomplished DIY-style, or you can hire a professional who can also conduct an energy audit to make sure everything is running like a well-oiled machine.
Update home décor
What does style have to do with comfort? Very little. But home décor, such as curtains and rugs, is a factor in home weatherization. Thick curtains can absorb the effects of a drafty window. A large area rug over cold floors will make everyone feel a little cozier.
Caulking for windows
Windows that breathe and let cold drafts inside are not ideal for keeping temperatures where you’d like them. They can also eat up energy resources and cause your utility bill to go up when it’s cold or hot outside. While window replacement is one possible solution, re-caulking is an effective and inexpensive way to weatherize your home.
Simple caulking applications around every window and door may seal off any openings that allow cold air to come in. This is another project you can do yourself, as there are plenty of step-by-step instructional aids online that will point you in the right direction.
Foam it in
Behind the plastic plate behind most of your home’s electrical outlets is a wider cavity that can let cold air into any room in the house. A simple ready-to-use foam spray can get into the crevasses and keep out cold air for good. This budget-friendly home weatherization project can be completed in just minutes.
Just make sure to take all necessary safety precautions before working with the outlet cover and filling with foam.
Seal with weather stripping
Filling in gaps and openings are a common theme in home weatherization. Along with other products, you can also use weather stripping for doors and windows. It’s one of the easiest replacements you can do as some products simply slide into place.
Did you know that sealing these gaps on doors and windows can save up to 15 percent on energy costs? This is just another incentive to weatherize your home this holiday season.
Every home weatherization project can make a difference in keeping things airtight. A well-insulated home can maintain temperatures, produce energy savings and make things just a little bit more comfortable all around.