If yes was your answer to all three of these questions, then let’s take a closer look at where this draft air is coming from.
The air creeping into your home typically comes from around the windows, doors, electrical outlets, recessed lights, and the attic.
It is a problem that not only lets the cold air come in but it allows the warm air to escape.
This situation of warm air escaping from your home creates a money and energy-wasting cycle.
What are the Main Areas that cause a Draft?
The windows, doors, electrical outlets, and recess lighting are all areas where the cold air can enter your living space that does not seem like a big deal but can really add up.
The reason these are the most common intrusion areas is that they are cutouts in your home.
Each cutout area has been filled with a door, window, or light fixture, but it creates small gaps and cracks that allow for leaks.
If your windows and doors are old, then their seals may be worn, and it is time to replace them with energy-efficient products or get the ones you already have resealed.
By replacing them or having them sealed then it will prevent you from catching a chill as you go by.
Maybe replacing doors and windows is just out of your price range at this time.
That is okay you can try smaller things to reduce the amount of air that is leaking through the cracks with some simple less expensive solutions for now.
What can I do to Reduce the Draft in My Home?
Try these steps to take action into your own hands:
- Weatherstripping is great for windows and doors to not only cut down on air leaks but also helps lower your energy bills.
- Door sweeps are a type of weather stripping that is on the bottom of the door that helps create a tight seal between the door and the ground when the door is shut. If you already have door sweeps on your doors, you may want to update them because the seal weakens over time.
- New Curtains: If you’re renting and replacing windows is just not going to happen, but it’s causing your bills to rise then get some energy-efficient curtains. You may think curtains won’t make a difference but they can. Energy-efficient curtains are insulated to help keep the outdoor climate from affecting the indoor temperature. The only catch is you have to keep them closed in order for them to be effective. So don’t waste money on those if you’re not going to close them.
- Winterizing with window film is another solution for drafty windows. The window film isn’t the most attractive thing to use, but it will allow you to sit next to your window without catching a cold from the draft in the winter. It looks like saran wrap and seals your windows with heat from a hairdryer. It is a simple, easy solution. Window film can even be beneficial to keep on all year long as well because it will reduce the amount of heat that sneaks into your home.
- Fireplaces can provide so much warmth in a home. When they are not in use, then a large gust of air can travel through and freeze you out. To prevent this problem just make sure to close the damper when you’re not using it.
- Re-caulk your windows and doors for a fresh new seal. The caulking can crack and peel because it is exposed to outside weather all the time and it is continuously changing temperature. This is an easy task that should be done annually.
What if these do not work?
Then it’s time to get into the larger issues such as inadequate insulation and air duct leaks which are real money-crushing leaks. For these issues, it is best to get a certified HVAC technician to inspect and fix this troublesome situation right away. Otherwise, you are just blowing money away.
We at Assured Comfort specialize in home insulation. Make sure there is good insulation in the basement walls, crawl spaces, attic, and floor above an unfinished basement. These are the areas that are known to create an uncomfortable room temperature.
You can get a home energy audit to check your home's overall efficiency. During a home energy audit, our specialist inspects your ductwork for leaks, insulation, furnace, and blower.