How Much Energy Does Weatherstripping Save?
Replacing old weatherstripping is an effective, low-cost way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. It will help keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer by sealing up drafts and preventing air leaks. Although the exact amount of energy you might save will vary depending on your home’s condition, climate, and other factors, you can expect to save between 5% to 15% on your energy bills by properly sealing air leaks with weatherstripping. If you have an older home with poorly sealed windows and doors, you may save even more.
How Much Does it Cost to Weatherstrip Your Home?
Weatherstripping materials are far less expensive than replacing your windows and doors. For less than $10, you can buy a roll of weatherstripping tape or rope caulk and effectively seal up many of the drafts in your home. Some energy companies also offer discounted or free weatherstripping materials to help you reduce energy consumption. It’s worth checking with yours to see if they offer any discounts on energy-efficiency products.
Where Should You Weatherstrip?
The most common places to weatherstrip in your home are your windows, doors, and attic hatches. If you feel drafts entering or escaping your home in places where they shouldn’t, focus on those areas first. Each location may require a different weatherstripping product. Energy.gov offers a thorough guide on the appropriate type of weatherstripping materials available and their corresponding use.
How to Apply Weatherstripping
Applying weatherstripping is generally not difficult, but it does take some prep work and practice to get the hang of it. It also may require climbing on ladders or crouching low to access hard-to-reach places. For older homeowners, it’s recommended to get help from a local handyman to ensure weatherstripping is installed safely and effectively.
To start, you’ll want to clean and dry the work surface. You also want the temperature to be above 20-degrees F. Measure the area to be weatherstripped at least twice before cutting. The weatherstripping should fit snuggly and compress when the window or door is shut.
It's important to note that weatherstripping is just one aspect of improving energy efficiency in your home. Combining it with other energy-efficient home upgrades, such as proper insulation, routine HVAC maintenance and other upgrades, can result in more significant energy savings.
For older homeowners looking to lift the burden of home maintenance, we offer a monthly subscription service to address issues just like this. For $99 per month, you get a monthly hour-long visit from a handyman to handle tasks such as replacing the weatherstripping on windows and doors, replacing light switches and door knobs, or handling the monthly maintenance for your HVAC system.
If you’re interested in learning more, contact us at Golden Home Management today to discuss your needs or schedule a free assessment.