Heating your home during a frigid Lorain winter can really tax your pocketbook, especially if your home isn’t tightly sealed against the elements. Air leaks around the house can dramatically reduce your comfort level while driving up energy bills as your HVAC system works overtime to compensate.
Weatherizing windows is a surefire home comfort solution. Some of the benefits of sealing windows include:
- Better energy efficiency.
- A lower carbon footprint.
- Less wear and tear on your furnace or heat pump.
- Lower energy bills.
- Better comfort.
- Reduced outside noise.
Supplies You’ll Need for Weatherizing Windows
Weatherizing windows is an inexpensive DIY task that you can do in a weekend. You’ll need just a few supplies from the hardware store:
- Silicone caulk.
- Expandable foam caulk.
- Rope caulk.
- Window insulation kits.
- Weatherstripping with an adhesive back.
Using caulk is fairly easy, but if you’ve never worked with it, read the directions carefully before you begin.
Weatherizing Windows
Begin outside. Inspect for large cracks, gaps and holes around your windows, and fill these with expandable caulk. Apply silicone caulk to the seam where the frame meets the exterior of the house. Install storm windows if you have them.
Move inside, and seal around the window frames where they meet the wall. With the windows open, install the weatherstripping along the inside top and bottom of the frame to form a tight seal. Apply the rope caulk, which is removable in spring, to the seams along the movable parts of the windows. Finally, install the window insulation kits if you have no storm windows or if your windows are very old.
Consider a Home Energy Audit
Air leaks occur in a number of places around the house, including baseboards, recessed lighting fixtures, service entrances, and outlets. To pinpoint where your home is losing heat, consider conducting a DIY home energy audit or scheduling a professional audit to guide your sealing and insulation efforts.
For more expert advice on weatherizing windows or sealing leaks in the rest of your home, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning, proudly serving Lorain, Elyria, Oberlin, and surrounding areas.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about weatherizing windows and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “israelbest/Pixabay”
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area