Weather-Stripping: Stop Losing Money!
You may not have the money to remodel your home to save energy. However there is one simple thing to do, you can fix air leaks with weather-stripping and caulking. Seal up cracks between your toasty interior and windy exterior. This can greatly reduce your homes energy usage through more efficient heating and cooling. Of course, lowering energy usage saves you money and lowers your carbon footprint.
What’s in it for you and the planet
Many homes constantly leak their temperature-controlled air and take in outside weather even if they don’t feel drafty. With the windows and doors closed, there can still be hidden gaps around window or door frames, between the baseboards, floorboards, and by electrical outlets. Didn’t your parents tell you not to, “heat the great outdoors!” Turns out, they were right on the money.
You can save 5-10% on your energy bill or 7.5% on average by fixing air leaks with weather-stripping and caulking. Instead of giving an extra $48-$139 to your energy company, why not use it for something nice for yourself!
How to fix the leaks with weather-stripping and caulking
To fix leaks, there are a couple of methods you can use: weather-stripping, caulking and for bigger holes, spray foam or other insulation may be in order.
Even small gaps, over time, can bring in or leak out a lot of air, so you’ll want to know where gaps and leaks commonly occur.
- Around windows and doors
- Around built-in light fixtures, particularly on the celling
- Around the chimney
- Around the attic door
- Gaps in the attic or basement
- Around plumbing as it enters a room
- Between the wall and the floor
- Around electrical outlets, boxes, or other items cut into the wall
Source: Homeservice Club of Canada