Keep out the Draft & Critters with Weatherstripping!
Autumn’s cool nights may feel refreshing at first, but as the calendar’s pages turn toward winter, any open windows will quickly pull shut and you’ll dial that thermostat to start pumping out heat. Drafts and any temperature fluctuations will get your detective skills working. Where is that air coming from? Many times, the cause is obvious, a warped door leaving a place for seepage or even a crack in the weatherstripping. The mission to solve this problem hits you like a basket filled with autumn leaves. Yes, time to weatherstrip!
Evaluating your weatherstripping does warrant the necessity for a full house lookover or audit. To start, addressing any attic insulation problems will help you locate issues throughout the house. Escaping pressurized heated air in the attic through penetrations like the chimney flume, vents, or windows causes a negative air pressure at the bottom of the house. In turn, outside air will enter the house’s lower levels through openings in cracked or warped weatherstripping. This air fills in the negative pressure in the lower levels created by the attic’s poor insulation. As you play Sherlock Holmes in finding these openings, you may also want to search out bent or flattened entryway stripping. These are a sure welcome sign for air flow or even insects.
While fixing the issues in the attic, examine your attic door hatch and install high-density foam to insulate it. Choose this simple method in blocking off an obvious air flow to the attic. Foam weatherstripping applies easily to the door frame. Then, search out the mechanics of your windows. Do your windows latch shut? If not, fix any latches that will pull the window to a sealed closing. Be sure to make time on your schedule for examining all your weatherstripping and think about what material will work best with your home’s design and feel. Energy Efficiency Experts proves you can even DIY your project with Spring Bronze Weatherstrips. Each home has a unique design and your goals for respecting it makes this weatherization project a soul-searching process. Do you want to stress aesthetics or apply a wallet friendly fix, or ideally both?
Of course, saving on energy costs is key. Even if the economy is strong with low gas and electric rates, a smart homeowner still wants to save. It’s just the intelligent thing to do! Back to the weatherstripping, most people consider 5 main styles: plain or reinforced felt, metal from bronze or copper or the like, V-strips with tension seals or strips, door sweeps made from plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel; and finally, foam tape made from EPDM rubber or closed-cell foam. Naturally, metal will last the longest and fit an elegant design, while a V-strip at the front door will keep out critters and air at the same time. Foam tape is quickest to install and can last up to 5 years but can easily get damaged from normal wear and tear. As you decide on the type, keep in mind painting weatherstrips can impair its performance, so make sure to choose the right colors that match your frames. For the stripping that passes the test from a home audit, a thorough cleaning with hot water and bleach will ensure they continue to work for another winter season. Shane Parrish, an expert on decision making declares, “We all know our money isn’t infinite, yet we end up treating our time and energy and attention as if they are.” An exact budget for your weatherstripping project and benchmarks for getting the job done will beat Old Man Winter’s return.
The benefits will certainly get your attention! Weatherstripping the doors will impress with up to 20% in energy savings, up to 15% with the doors, and 10% around the vents. Partnering with an energy auditor like Energy Efficiency Experts can increase your savings up to and beyond 40%. Either you create a DIY project, or you decide on an extensive home improvement project, know that Maryland offers BeSMART loans from $5,000 to $30,000 with 6.99% APR. Get creative and energy smart with your “Home Sweet Home”improvements. Keep in mind, weatherstripping will also cut down on outside noises and protect your home from any outdoor critters!
