Have you ever experienced a draft with all windows closed?
That pesky draft doesn’t just cause you to grab for a blanket. Leaky air is stealthily sucking your heating system dry and fattening your energy bill each month. Air leakage actually causes 25% to 40% of typical homes heating and cooling energy use.
The good news?
Most of it doesn’t cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair. A few simple energy saving improvements can transform your drafty, chilly home into a warm, tight home. And many can be done in a single weekend.
Time to get into it.
What’s Coming Up:
- Why a Drafty Home Costs You More
- The Upgrades That Actually Keep Heat In
- Quick Wins You Can Do This Weekend
- Bigger Projects Worth the Money
Why a Drafty Home Costs You More Than You Think
Here’s the thing about draft…
They’re more than just a nuisance. Every crack and crevice is allowing your warm air to escape and pulling cold air inside. Your furnace has to work harder to heat your home and you pay for every second it runs.
That’s why air sealing is number one on the list of energy saving improvements. Leak sealing is the investment with the quickest payback, and by hiring professionals like air sealing experts you know the job will be done right. So you can keep your warm air… where you want it. Inside.
And now for your bonus. Leak fixes amplify the effects of all your other upgrades. It’s sort of like upgrading the base.
Comfort increases dramatically as well. Gone are the chilly spots in the hallways. No more freezing room that everyone avoided sitting in all winter.
Air Sealing: Plug the Gaps First
You can’t keep a home warm if it’s full of holes.
Air sealing means locating and stopping all of those tiny areas where air leaks into and out of your home’s envelope. Honestly, there are probably way more than you think.
The most common leak spots are:
- Around windows and door frames
- Attic hatches and recessed lights
- Gaps where pipes and wires enter walls
- Baseboards and electrical outlets
- The rim joist down in your basement
Caulk and expanding foam sealant will do the trick for most of these items for just a couple bucks. However if you want to stop those hard to find, invisible leaks (you know the ones way up in your attic) a professional with a blower door can find them in minutes.
The idea is to no longer treat your home like a sieve. Seal off enough leaks and your furnace finally gets to rest instead of working overtime every day.
Weather-stripping and Door Sweeps: The Cheapest Win
Want the easiest upgrade on this entire list?
Weather-stripping. If you feel air leaking around a closed window or door, the seal is shot and replacement costs pennies. Peel-and-stick foam tape works wonders on window sashes and door jambs.
Next, install a door sweep on the bottom of each exterior door. That little strip prevents cold air from sliding under your door.
Two quick fixes, big results:
- Weatherstripping for worn door and window edges
- Door sweeps for the gap underneath
They can take an afternoon to resolve. You will notice the change that night.
Insulation: The Warm Blanket Your House Needs
Leaks prevent air from leaving. Insulation restricts the heat from leaving too quickly behind.
Start in the attic. Heat rises, which means a poorly insulated attic is like wearing a winter-weight coat and no hat. All your heat is escaping right out of the top of your head! Insulation in the attic is one of the best investments you can make.
Plus it all really adds up. According to the EPA, homeowners can reduce heating and cooling costs by an average of 15% by air sealing and insulating their attics and crawl spaces. That’s cash back in your wallet every month.
When your walls are cold to the touch or some rooms never stay warm, it’s likely you need better insulation. Don’t think yours is okay though. The majority of houses around the country are under insulated!
Windows, Caulk, and the Obvious Leaks
Windows are sneaky.
Even when closed tight, old windows or windows without good seals leak heat throughout the winter. The good news is you don’t necessarily have to replace them. Caulking around the frame can seal any gaps that have gradually appeared over time.
For older single-pane windows, a few cheaper options can help:
- Clear weatherproof film over the glass
- Heavy thermal curtains for the coldest nights
- Caulk around the frame and trim
Save window replacement for a remodel when you can afford it. Until then, these little tricks will keep the heat in and draft out.
Bigger Projects Worth the Money
Some upgrades cost a little more, but they earn their keep over time.
Take a smart thermostat for instance. It learns your schedule and automatically turns down the heat when no one is home. You never have to pay to heat an empty house again. Set it and forget it. There are even options that allow you to control your heating from your phone. So you can heat your home from work.
Sealing and insulating ductwork is another one. If your heated air is escaping into your crawlspace before it even reaches your rooms, you might as well be heating your crawlspace rather than your living room. By wrapping your ducts, you can ensure that heat goes where it should.
Sure, they require some work. However, they reward you year after year.
Bringing It Home
A warm, draft-free home isn’t about one big expensive fix.
Its cumulative: many small measures each doing their bit. Caulk the cracks, install the insulation, replace that old weatherstripping, and let a programmable thermostat work magic.
To quickly recap, the smartest moves are:
- Seal air leaks first, because it’s the foundation
- Add insulation, starting up in the attic
- Replace tired weatherstripping and add door sweeps
- Caulk up those draft old windows
- Upgrade your ducts and add a smart thermostat
Begin with low-cost, quick wins this weekend and build from there. You don’t have to do everything at once, either. Make one change at a time and watch your savings grow. Your feet (and your heating bill) will appreciate it all winter.
