Guides / Heating and cooling
Seal air leaks for a weekend's work
Caulk, weatherstripping and door sweeps pay for themselves.
Small gaps around windows, doors and pipes add up to a hole in the wall. Sealing them keeps heated and cooled air inside and is one of the best-value jobs in a home.
Find leaks
- On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick near window frames, doors and outlets and watch for drafts
- Look for daylight around doors
- Check where pipes and wires go through walls, and the attic hatch
Fix them
- Caulk around window frames and trim
- Weatherstrip doors and windows that open
- Add a door sweep to exterior doors
- Foam gaskets behind outlet covers on outside walls
- Weatherstrip and insulate the attic hatch
Leave to a pro
Don't seal around gas appliance vents or chimneys, and make sure fuel-burning appliances still have the air they need. If you have gas appliances, a carbon monoxide alarm is essential.
General educational information. Savings depend on your home, climate, equipment and rates. Home Penny Pro isn't paid by any utility, supplier or brand.