Reducing Air Infiltration

Weather-stripping and caulking is probably the least expensive, simplest, and most effective way to cut down on energy usage in the winter. Improperly sealed homes can waste 10 to 15 percent of the homeowner’s heating dollars. Follow these steps to ensure your home is properly sealed:

1. Check around doors and windows for leaks and drafts. Add weather-stripping and caulk any holes that allow heat to escape. Make sure doors seal properly.
2. If your windows leak significantly, consider replacing them with newer, more efficient ones.
3. Every duct, wire, or pipe that penetrates the wall, ceiling, or floor has the potential to waste energy. Plumbing vents can be especially bad, since they begin below the floor and go all the way through the roof. Seal them all with caulking or weather-stripping.
4. Electric wall plugs and switches can allow cold air in. Purchase simple-to-install, pre-cut foam gaskets that fit behind the switch plate and effectively prevent leaks.
5. Don’t forget to close the damper on your fireplace when it’s not in use. Your chimney functions as a large open window that draws warm air out of the room and creates a draft. Close the damper, as it’s an effective energy-saving tip that costs you nothing.
6. Examine your house’s heating ducts for leaks. Think of your ductwork as huge hoses bringing hot air instead of water into your house. Mostly out of sight, ducts can leak for years without you knowing it. They can become torn or crushed and flattened. Research shows that you can save roughly 10 percent of your heating bill by preventing leaky ducts.