Weatherizing your home is an easy way to lower energy costs and make your home cozier. It stops cold air from entering in the winter and hot air from escaping during summer.
It also cuts energy waste and saves money year round. Many companies offer home improvement, air quality or energy efficiency services.
1. Seal Air Leaks
Many homes lose heated or cooled air to the outside through holes and cracks. That’s why sealing them is one of the most important things you can do to weatherize your home.
Caulk or expandable foam can be purchased at any big box store for a few dollars, and it goes a long way in preventing heated or cooled air from escaping your house. You can seal gaps around doors and windows, holes where plumbing or ducting enters and exits, and more. It’s a quick and easy project that will pay for itself in no time at all.
2. Insulate Your Attic
Professionals know that one of the best ways to reduce energy waste and keep your home warm is to properly insulate your attic. With the right materials, this is a DIY weekend project that will have your home ready for winter in no time.
Begin by clearing your attic of boxes or storage items. Then add a layer of fiberglass batt insulation. Use a permanent marker to mark where you’ll cut, about 1-inch less than the width of your attic joists.
3. Add Insulation to Your Walls
Adding insulation to your walls is one of the best ways to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. It prevents cold air from entering and warm air from escaping the house.
Insulation pro tips:
Use a stud finder to locate studs, then cut holes in the drywall where the studs are located. The holes are patched with a drywall repair kit and then insulation is pushed into the wall cavities. Insulation should be faced with a vapor retarder to reduce condensation that robs R-value.
4. Add Insulation to Your Floors
Floors often allow heat to escape, but installing insulation can help prevent this. This is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to weatherize your home.
Sealing gaps and cracks with caulk and expanding foam is a quick, inexpensive DIY project that will go a long way toward improving your home’s energy efficiency. Be sure to use PPE equipment like full length overalls, safety glasses and a mask. You may also need tools such as scissors, a carpenter pencil and a tape measure. Changing ceiling fans to rotate in the winter can also help — a fan can blow warm air from high rooms down to where people are sitting.
5. Add Insulation to Your Windows
Adding insulation to your windows is one of the best ways to stop unwanted drafts in the winter and heat loss. It’s also an effective way to lower your energy bills and improve your indoor air quality.
Adding rope caulk—which looks like Silly Putty rolled into long, thin strips—to your window frames is an easy, inexpensive way to weatherize them. It prevents cold air from entering your home and warm air from escaping. It also reduces moisture and mold. This is an especially good solution for rental homes and those who don’t have the time or money to invest in more permanent solutions.
6. Add Insulation to Your Doors
Adding insulation to your doors prevents cold air from seeping in and hot air from escaping. This simple home weatherization tip can save you money on heating and cooling costs.
Check, clean or replace your central heating filters (this is one of ENERGY STAR’s monthly home maintenance tips). Dirty filters slow down air flow and make your system work harder.
Install and set a programmable thermostat to optimize heating and cooling. You can also get a smart thermostat to amplify your savings even more.
7. Add Insulation to Your Roof
Adding insulation to your roof is one of the most important ways you can weatherize your home for winter. If your home is not adequately insulated, your heating system will have to work harder to keep it warm.
Adding insulation can significantly reduce your heating costs. Another simple way to save energy is by installing a programmable thermostat. This can help you save up to 10% on your heating costs. The New York State Weatherization Assistance Program provides free weatherization services for income-eligible homeowners and rental properties.
8. Add Insulation to Your Gutters
Adding insulation to your gutters is an inexpensive and easy way to prevent heat loss. Insulation helps to regulate temperatures and will make your home more comfortable throughout the year.
Whether you are looking to improve comfort and efficiency or ease the energy costs of an old house, weatherization is the solution. With little to no investment, these simple upgrades can cut your energy bills and significantly reduce the amount of waste in your home. So what are you waiting for? Start protecting your home from cold air and harsh weather this fall.
9. Add Insulation to Your Garage
Cold temperatures and extreme weather can take a toll on your home and energy bills. Taking the time to perform some simple weatherization tips now can help protect your home and save on your energy costs this winter.
Whole-home weatherization is the best way to cut energy waste and boost comfort. It begins with a professional assessment or DIY energy audit. It includes air sealing, insulation upgrades and more. A well-done audit can save you up to 45% on heating and cooling costs (2)!
10. Add Insulation to Your Basement
A basement that’s well insulated will keep your home warmer during the winter. It can also reduce your heating and cooling costs.
Insulating your basement is usually easy to do. You can use a variety of insulation materials, but closed-cell spray polyurethane foam works best for basements. Its rigidity prevents moisture and mold problems.
To learn more about weatherizing your home, contact Stiles Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. We can perform a home energy audit, offer insulation recommendations and service your HVAC system. Call us today! We look forward to hearing from you.