With utility bills rising with each year, it is important to check your home’s insulation on an annual basis. Look at the wind direction your doors face – if either the front or back door are poorly insulated, you could be in for a COLD winter! Windows need insulation, too…even your power outlets need it.
Doors
Inspect your doors at all four edges. It is easiest to find gaps at night by shining a flashlight from outside the closed door and having someone inside verify that they cannot see light coming inside. If light does show, you can eliminate the gaps easily with purchases made at a local hardware store such as Home Depot or Lowe’s. There are metal and wood strips that have thick plastic or rubber lips that can be screwed to your door’s edge. It may take two strips or you may be able find one that is the full height of your door. For gaps across the bottom of the door, get a strip that has a brush lip so it will move freely over tile or carpet. Another option is a threshold foam strips that adhere to the threshold bottom. Another possible solution is using a rolling draft guard that attached to the inside bottom of the door.
Windows
If you do not have double-paned or storm windows, you can be losing heat in the winter and letting heat in during the summer…and not just around the frames. Installing heavy or foam-backed draperies can reduce energy loss. For gaps up to inch around the frame use an expandable sealant such as Great Stuff to create a strong seal outside. For smaller gaps, spackling paste or caulk can be smoothed into place and painted to match your sills and walls. You can also use adhesive foam weather stripping that can be easily attached to the door or frame to keep out the weather (and dust).
Folding or Sliding Garage Doors
There are 12-foot and 30-foot strips of rubber that can be attached to the bottom of any standard garage door, whether it is made of metal or wood. This strip will help keep out the weather and water that may collect near the door.
Power Outlets
Your wall outlets can be leaking energy as well…especially those on outside walls. Pick up a package of wall outlet insulating pads and install them under your face plate. These insulating pads also help keep dust out of your power box inside the walls.
No matter what the insulation problem, most of them can be easily and inexpensively solved using a screwdriver, scissors, and the proper product. Most of these tips take only a few minutes of your time and can save you a lot of money on your utility bills!
