Lower Winter Energy Bills by Completing a Standard Weatherizing Checklist
When your home isn’t properly winterized, the cost to heat your space is going to be much higher than normal. Drafts allow cool air in and heated air out, making your heating bill a costly expense during this season. Completing a basic winterizing checklist can help limit energy loss and lower your heating bills over the long run.
Seal the Windows
First, seal around your windows to prevent any energy loss. Make sure the outside edges of your window casing are caulked, and consider applying a glaze around the edges of your windowpanes. Then, add in your storm windows, if you have them, and consider adding an insulating film if your windows are drafty. Head Outside Your weatherizing checklist must include a couple tasks outside of your home, including:
- Sealing your rim joist with caulk.
- Applying caulk around the outside edges of your windows.
- Sealing up any openings, like water spigots, air conditioning hoses and dryer vents.
- Adding expanding foam in any large holes or cracks.
After this, it’s time to head inside.
Check Doors and Outlets
Doors are often quite drafty, so add them to your weatherizing checklist. Apply weatherstripping inside your door jam, as well as caulk on the door’s window. If you have a door you don’t use often, like a side or basement door, use a removable rope caulk to seal all edges. Outlets on exterior walls can let in drafts. Take off the cover, then put a foam gasket around the sockets to prevent any drafts from outdoors.
Add Insulation to the Attic
Your attic can allow a lot of heat to escape, so add insulation, and then ensure that the door is properly sealed. Applying foam weatherstripping around the top edge of the door can help, as can foam insulation.
At Sobieski Services, Inc, our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues. We want them to save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.
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