Air leaks around your Broken Arrow home account for higher energy bills and a lower level of comfort, and they make your HVAC system work overtime to replace the lost air. Sealing air leaks is an easy and inexpensive way to improve your comfort level and reduce your energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Weatherizing windows is a good place to start winterizing your home.
Benefits of Weatherizing Windows
In addition to lower energy bills, reducing wear on your heating system, and improving your comfort level, sealing air leaks around your windows will help reduce noise coming in from outside, keep pollen and other allergens out, and provide better humidity control in your home.
What You'll Need for Weatherizing Windows
Weatherizing windows doesn't require a lot of supplies. All you'll need is:
Silicone caulk.
Rope caulk.
Weatherstripping.
Expandable foam for large gaps and cracks on the window's exterior.
Window insulation kits containing plastic shrink film.
Exterior Window Sealing
Start with the exterior of your home.
Use silicone caulk to create a seal along the seam where the window frame meets the exterior wall.
Use expandable foam to seal large gaps and cracks around the window.
Install storm windows if you have them.
Interior Window Sealing
Once you've sealed the exterior, move indoors.
Use silicone caulk to seal the seam where the window frames meet the wall.
Open the windows and install weatherstripping to create a solid seal when the window is closed.
Apply rope caulk to the movable parts of the windows.
If you don't have storm windows, install plastic shrink film for a solid barrier between the indoors and out.
Keep your drapes open during sunny days to help warm your rooms, and close them on cloudy days and at night.
Consider an Energy Audit
According to Energy Star, a home energy audit helps you pinpoint exactly where your home is increasing your energy costs. If you'd like to learn more about an energy audit, or for more advice about weatherizing windows, feel free to contact us at Air Assurance, proudly serving the Broken Arrow area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about weatherizing windows and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “israelbest/Pixabay”