Thermostats are a great way to save on energy bills because they allow you to keep track of how much heat is being used. Although thermostats have become quite intelligent over the years and now use advanced technology to keep your house at a regulated temperature as to not waste money on unnecessary energy costs - did you know you can reduce energy expenses on your own?
This can be done by checking for air leaks in your home’s windows and doors. A simple check can potentially save you hundreds of dollars per year.
Potential Leakage Areas
Take some time to do a full inspection of your home's crawl spaces and entrance ways. Common leakage areas include:
- Doors
- Windows
- Kitchen exhaust fans
- Attic hatches
- Fireplaces
- Electrical boxes/outlets
How to Check for Drafts
Examining your home for leaks can be as simple as taking a peek. Check for small spaces between the frames of your windows/doors.
These seemingly harmless gaps allow air to seep in and out. In the winter, your heating system will have to work extra hard to maintain a certain warmth because of the cold draft making its way into the home. The same is true in the hot summer months. All that cool air generated from your A/C has the potential to leak outdoors.
When it comes to checking for drafts, an incense stick is one of the best tools to do this. Simply light one up and hold it near the edges of your door and window frames. If the smoke blows askew, then you’ve certainly got a leakage on your hands. However, if the smoke remains straight upwards, you’re in the clear.
Don’t forget: the best time to check for drafts is on a windy day! While you may see no change in the smoke’s direction on a calm day, a little gust can help you troubleshoot your problem areas.
Using Weather-Stripping to Draft-Proof Your Home
So you’ve found an air leak in your home, but you’re not sure what to do next. The best way to temporarily treat an air leak is to apply weather-stripping adhesives. When you first purchase a window or door, the frames will have weather-stripping built in, but daily usage of these entranceways can damage the lining over time. Replacement weather-stripping can easily be found at your local renovation or hardware store.
While these can help, they’re not long-term solutions. No store-bought weather stripping will give you the same kind of draft protection and energy conservation that high quality windows and well-fitting doors will.
Energy-Efficient Windows: The Superior Choice
Buying new energy-efficient windows to keep out drafts is often the preferred choice. Although it may seem like a lot of money up front, the potential long-term savings can be worth it. Some homeowners can reduce energy expenses by up to 25% with double-pane windows!
At Clera Windows, choosing the right pane for your home is easy with our team of professionals. All windows in our product line are energy-efficient without sacrificing on style. Visit our showroom and discover why Clera Windows is the preferred choice for homeowners across Ontario!
