Here are four tips to make sure you’re not letting any of the cold air through your windows this winter. These inexpensive solutions will keep your home warm and save you money on your energy bills. The less your heating unit has to work to keep your house warm, the less energy you’ll use and the more money you’ll end up saving.
Keep in mind that we’re only talking about windows in this article, but some of it also applies to doors. You can also get creative and find other places to use these tips that might help out around the house (i.e., the dryer vent).
Install weather stripping around your windows.
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to keep your home warmer during the winter is by finding where the cold air is coming in and stopping it at the source. That’s precisely what weather stripping does.
Take a walk throughout your home and inspect your doors and windows. If you see gaps allowing light or a draft coming through, that’s where you’re going to want to install the weather stripping.
Installing the weather stripping is easy and only takes a few minutes, and you can purchase it at any hardware store for less than $10.
Even if you have weather stripping in place already, it might be worn out or thin. Replacing it with thicker and better weather stripping will help keep the drafts out as well.
Caulk around windows to fill the gaps in the frame.
Chances are, when your windows were installed on your home, they were caulked around the edges. It’s part of the window installation process and common in modern homes.
However, over time the caulking cracks and begins to fall off. This allows colder air to seep in from around your windows.
Just as you inspected your windows for drafts, do the same when you’re looking for cracks in the caulking.
When you find a spot that needs to be caulked, take a putty knife and remove the old and cracking caulking from around the window. You’ll want to be sure you remove the old caulk before applying the new caulk, as this will ensure you have a good seal. Additionally, as the old caulk peels away, it will take the new caulk with it.
Once the old caulking is removed, apply a small and smooth straight-line bead of caulk using a caulk gun. You’ll want to use both hands, so you have steady control over the applicator.
Now that you have a uniform-looking bead take a wet finger or use a tool to smooth the bead. Remember only to smooth out small sections at a time to prevent excess caulk from building up.
Install insulating window film is an inexpensive upgrade.
Sometimes old windows don’t do the trick anymore. It might be because they’re single-pane or their seals are broken; whatever the reason, you get cold just standing next to them. This will make the rest of your home equally chilly and make your HVAC unit work harder to keep your home warm.
One way to keep that cold air from affecting the rest of your home is to seal off the windows with insulated window film. This is a simple, effective, and very inexpensive option for keeping your home warm.
This film usually comes in clear rolls, looks similar to saran wrap or cellophane, and is relatively inexpensive. Tape is generally included and is more than enough to do the job, but I found that simple scotch tape can work as well.
To install insulated window film, measure out the size of the window frame you’re applying the film. Remember, the film will be taped to the frame, not the glass itself, so you must measure the window’s structure. Once you have the measurements, cut the film to the size of the window. For this, you can use scissors or a box cutter. Have someone hold up the insulating film in position while you tape the film to the window frame.
There you have it; your window is now insulated and will keep some of the colder air from reaching your living space.
Hang insulated curtains to keep cold air from coming thru your windows.
At this point, you’ve found and fixed all gaps around your windows and applied the film. The last thing to do is hang insulated curtains.
There are many options for curtains, but a thick and soft curtain will keep the warm air in and the cold air out.
A straightforward solution is to modify your current drapes by adding a lining to them. Using a dark lining like a black flannel will help insulate your home and keep light out, like blackout curtains. We’ve even seen some homeowners attach bubble wrap to the backside of their curtains. While this might not be the most aesthetically pleasing, the idea of bubble wrap can act as an excellent insulator. The tiny bubbles of air work just like a fluffy coat, using the pockets of air to keep you warm.
If you don’t want to modify your current window treatments, you can purchase inexpensive insulated curtains. They can range from $20-$100 per window, depending on your style and where you shop.
To be sure you and your family are warm this winter, it’s essential to take care of the small things.
One inexpensive way is by preventing cold air from coming in through gaps around your windows and sealing off any cracks with weather stripping and caulking. You can take that a step further by applying insulated window film and hanging thick, insulated curtains that can help protect against drafts.
With that, you should feel comfortable all winter long and see a decrease in your energy bills.