With winter approaching, you want to feel comfortable and warm in your home. If you’ve noticed a chill, it could be due to drafts around the windows, allowing cold air into your house. It’s important to fix drafty windows to boost energy efficiency and stay warm. Here are a few tips to better insulate your windows and combat cold weather.
Why Blocking Drafts is Essential
Fix Drafty Windows to Boost Energy Efficiency
Drafty windows compromise your home’s energy efficiency. When warm air escapes and cold air infiltrates, the heating system has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. An overworked heating system leads to higher energy bills and contributes to unnecessary strain on the system’s components.
Boost Comfort
A drafty home is not comfortable for your family. Relaxing or entertaining guests is challenging when you constantly feel a cold breeze. Properly insulating the windows makes your living spaces more comfortable, inviting, and conducive to well-being.
Enjoy Long-Term Savings
Investing time and resources in insulating the windows pays off in the long run. By addressing drafts, you reduce wear and tear on your heating system, extending its lifespan. Lower energy bills translate to more money in your pocket over time.
Tips and Tricks to Stop Airflow Around Windows
Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is one of the most effective ways to seal gaps around windows. Apply this inexpensive material to the edges of windows to create a tight seal, preventing cold air from seeping in.
Fix Drafty Windows with Caulk
Caulk is a great solution for gaps and cracks in the window frame. Invest in a high-quality, paintable caulk to seal visible openings. Silicone caulk blocks drafts and helps maintain the aesthetic appeal of your windows.
Insulating Window Film
Window film is an excellent way to stay warm and save energy at home. When properly installed over the window glass, this transparent film creates an additional layer of insulation, reducing heat loss. Some films even provide UV protection, preserving your furnishings and flooring from sun damage.
Fix Drafty Windows: Install Heavy Drapes or Curtains
Before winter, invest in heavy drapes or curtains that can be drawn closed on colder days and nights. Install cellular window blinds beneath the curtains for additional protection against the cold. Cozy window treatments add warmth and style to your home while acting as a barrier against drafts.
Storm Windows
If your budget allows, storm windows protect against the elements. These windows, designed to be mounted outside or inside the primary window, offer enhanced insulation to boost efficiency and keep your living spaces warmer.
As the temperatures drop, don’t let drafts chill your home. Implementing these tips and tricks creates a cozier and more energy-efficient living space. A draft-free home is a comfortable haven from the cold and a smart investment in long-term savings.
JW Goad Home Inspections offers home and commercial inspection services to Clarksville and the surrounding areas in Tennessee and Kentucky. Contact us to request an inspection.