Drafts around windows, doors and fireplaces can sag interior caulking and raise homeowners’ energy bills. Installing sheathing behind tubs, showers and fireplaces eliminates these drafts, making the home more comfortable and lowering energy costs.
We pay enough for heating, so preventing drafts is essential to saving money and staying comfortable all year round. Learn how to tell if you have a draft, where it comes from and how to fix it.
Window Sealing
Window sealing is one of the most common ways to eliminate drafts in homes. Window seals and caulking can fill gaps around windows to keep cold air from coming in and warm air from escaping, which can lower energy bills significantly. This is particularly important during the winter, when cold air can leak into the home through these small cracks and spaces around windows.
Often, these gaps are caused by a poor fitting window or an old seal that has worn down over time. It is important to check the windows for these problems regularly and to replace any seals that may need it. A professional can perform a thorough inspection and recommend the right replacements for your home.
Another way to prevent drafts is by using a draft stopper. This is an inexpensive and temporary solution for blocking drafts in the meantime until you can have them fixed properly. To make a draft stopper, simply fill an old tube sock with dried rice or lentils and tie it off at the end. You can also buy snake-style draft stoppers that are made of fabric to block drafts in the same manner.
To caulk your window, first clean the area around it to remove any dirt or debris that could hinder the adhesion of the caulking. Then, cut the tip of the caulking tube and use a piercing tool to push the caulk out into the cracks. Start at the top of the window trim and work downwards, ensuring you don’t get caulk in the joints between the frame and wall or the sash. After the bead has been applied, run a latex-gloved finger along it to smooth it out.
Door Sealing
Drafts in your home can be caused by a number of factors, but the most common are air leaks and poor door seals. Whether your house is old or new, it’s important to identify and seal any spots where heat escapes and cold air creeps in.
The first step is to check the condition of your door’s weather stripping. Over time, the stripping can wear down and allow drafts in. A little bit of re-sealing with foam tape or v-seal is a simple, effective fix.
You can also look for gaps around the edges of your door’s frame. Often, a small amount of caulking is enough to fill these gaps, but you can also use spray foam to create a tight seal around the edges of your frame.
Other areas to consider include mail slots, rotary manual bells (on older doors) and any other holes or openings that might let in cold air. You can find pre-cut foam insulator pads at your local hardware store that are perfect for these spaces.
Another easy way to spot a draft is to try the “flame test.” This is simply done by holding a candle or stick of incense near the area where you suspect there’s a draft. If the flame flickers or blows away, there’s a gap that needs to be sealed.
Attic Sealing
When it comes to energy efficiency and preventing drafts, your attic is a big part of the equation. A poorly-sealed attic introduces drafts into the conditioned spaces of your home by pulling cooled air down and pushing heated air up.
In addition to sealing ductwork, recessed lights, and vents, you should seal all of the spots where attic space meets the conditioned spaces below it. This includes the attic access door, scuttle hole, and any vents that extend through it. You should also make sure the attic ladder can be pulled back in and replaced easily (as opposed to being left out).
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, foam spray sealants can fix many of these gaps and leaks. But there are some gaps that require the help of a professional. To find qualified installers in your area, visit the Building America Solutions Center’s Attic Sealing page.
Another easy DIY trick for reducing drafts is to line your curtains with thermal materials. These materials are similar to black-out material in that they reduce heat loss and keep warm air from escaping. You can buy the material by the foot or find ready-made curtain panels that are lined with it on Amazon. These are especially effective in rooms where you spend a lot of time, such as living or dining rooms.
Ventilation
Even if you’re not planning on splurging on new windows, reducing drafts is one of the best ways to prevent energy waste during winter. Unwanted airflow not only makes your home feel cold, but it also requires you to crank up the heat in order to stay comfortable, costing you money on power bills.
Drafts happen when warm air escapes through gaps in your home’s insulation, allowing cold air to peace out instead. This is a problem year round, but during the winter, it’s especially noticeable. The good news is that there are plenty of easy ways to prevent drafts and keep your house feeling toasty and warm.
For example, a simple DIY fix is to put a foam cushion or draft excluder on the bottom of your door (we love this cute dog door draft stopper from Amazon). Or, you can add self-sticking weather stripping around your doors and windows.
You can also seal up drafty areas in your attic by putting up drywall and insulation over the open joists. And don’t forget to close your fireplace flue when it’s not in use, as a drafty chimney is another common source of cold air escaping your home. Other easy fixes include duct taping pre-slit pipe foam to exposed pipes in your crawl space, basement or attic; and adding additional insulation to your existing attic.