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Drafts in your home can cost you a lot of money in energy costs. Luckily, there are many ways to stop them.
1. Close Your Windows and Doors
When a draft creeps into your house during winter, it not only disturbs your cozy home environment, but it also leads to higher energy bills. Drafts are caused by air gaps, which allow heated indoor air to escape and cold outdoor air to fill in. The best way to prevent drafts is through strategic insulation, air sealing, and ventilation upgrades.
The biggest problem areas are around window and door frames. Older windows and frames often warp over time, creating a gap that warm air finds its way out through. The same goes for doors, which may not be completely sealed when closed. To pinpoint where the draft is coming from, shine a flashlight (such as the Maglite Mini PRO LED Flashlight) around the frame and look for light. If the frame is leaking, a simple filler compound or expanding foam can be used to seal it.
Another great solution is hanging heavy curtains. Curtains act as a wall to block any drafts from blowing through your windows and into your rooms, and they can add even more warmth. They are especially effective for south-facing windows, which can let the sun naturally warm your rooms throughout the day and prevent drafts at night.
2. Seal Any Cracks
Air leakage from cracks in window frames can raise heating and cooling bills, as well as create uncomfortable cold spots in the home. Sealing gaps can reduce drafts and prevent air loss, allowing your house to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the year.
To identify areas where air is escaping, check your windows on a cold and windy day. Run your hand around the perimeter of the frame and note any spots that feel cool to the touch. If you don’t have a thermometer to measure the air, shine a flashlight at potential leaks and observe where the light wavers or is sucked in and out of. Using incense sticks to detect drafts is also a good option; smoke wavers through any open spaces and can point to the source of a draft.
If you find that a drafty window can’t be resolved by closing the gap, there are several easy DIY solutions for all budgets. A window sock or foam tape are long, fabric insulators that slip underneath the window to block air infiltration. Both products are inexpensive and simple to use. For a more permanent solution, apply caulk made for outdoor use such as GE Silicone 2+. This mold-free formula can be applied with a caulk gun and is freeze, sun, and rain-proof. It is available in a variety of colors and will not discolor indoor surfaces.
3. Insulate Your Attic
Drafts happen when your warm air escapes through the cracks in your home and gets replaced by cold outside air. This makes you feel uncomfortable, and it causes your heating system to work harder than necessary, driving up energy costs.
One of the biggest reasons that homeowners experience drafts is because they have under-insulated attics. Insulation loses its effectiveness over time, so it’s important to add more as needed. If you suspect your attic has under-insulation, a professional energy audit will help identify trouble spots. You can also perform a simple test with a flashlight and smoke to find where air and heat are escaping your home.
Once you’ve located the source of your draft, you can use a few easy fixes to stop it. For example, place door sweeps on the bottom of every exterior door that leads to the outside. This will help seal off the area and keep cold air from sneaking into your home. You can also use caulk to fill any gaps around windows. If your windows are old, consider replacing them with awning or casement windows that have a tighter seal.
Another common cause of drafts is open bypasses in your attic. These are areas where electrical, plumbing and ventilation pipes pass through your attic space. These holes are usually large enough for air to leak through, and they’re a perfect hiding spot for that dastardly cold air that steals your warm air and creates the draft you feel in your home. Plugging these holes is a simple project that you can complete with inexpensive materials and a little bit of effort.
4. Replace Your Old Windows
A drafty house is a big energy waster that wastes money and makes you crank up the thermostat in an effort to make your home comfortable. A few DIY fixes can help you reduce the drafts in your home and save money on your energy bills this winter.
Drafts happen because warm air rises, and cold winter wind blowing against it creates a pressure difference that pulls at your house. If your windows or doors have small gaps, warm air is pulled through those holes and out of your home. And that cold, opportunistic wind is all too happy to fill those empty spaces and steal your cozy warm air, creating a draft you feel in your home.
Depending on the cause, you may need to re-caulk your window frames or put in weather stripping. One quick and easy way to find a leak is by lighting a candle and slowly passing it around the edges of your window frame. If the flame or smoke bends toward your window frame in any particular spot, that’s where air is leaking out of your home.
You can also use a foam-and-fabric draft snake to prevent air from escaping through your window sash. You can get these kits for about $7 at Amazon that include a 36-inch foam tube and washable cover. Just be sure to remove all the old putty from your window sash before using the kit.