As the temperatures start to drop, you may notice that your home doesn’t feel as cozy as it did last winter. If your home is draftier than you’d like, it’s time to take action and weatherize your home in the fall for winter. By focusing on key areas that lose heat first, like your doors and windows, you can make your home more comfortable and prevent heat loss. So if you’re ready to enjoy a more comfortable and energy-efficient home this winter, start weatherizing your home by doing the following:
Why is Weatherization Important For Your Home?
In addition to saving money on energy bills, weatherizing your home can also help you maintain perfect thermostat settings. With less heat loss, you won’t have to worry about your home being too cold or too hot. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) works to build a clean energy economy that benefits all Americans. They are a good resource for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation information.
Actions You Can Take to Weatherize Your Home
Here are some actions you can take to make sure your home stays insulated from the outside weather:
Seal your windows and doors
- Chaulking– chaulking is a simple process, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a successful application. First, make sure that the surface is clean and dry before applying the caulking. Next, use a putty knife or caulk gun to apply a generous bead of caulking around the perimeter of the door or window, filling over any possible cracks. Finally, smooth the caulking with a popsicle stick or a wet rag, and allow it to dry for 24 hours before painting or staining.
- Weatherstripping– there are a variety of weatherstripping materials available, so you can choose the option that best suits your needs. For doors, foam strips/tapes or felt strips provide a good seal, while V-strip weatherstripping works well for windows. Once you’ve selected your weatherstripping material, simply apply it to the door or window frame, being careful not to interfere with the mechanism.
- Draft stoppers– these are simply inexpensive devices that block the gap at the bottom of a window frame, preventing air from flowing through. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your window perfectly.
Insulate crawlspaces and basement area
- Fiberglass is one of the most popular insulation materials on the market. It’s easy to install, it’s fire resistant, and it’s easy to install. If you’re looking for an easy and economical way to insulate your home, fiberglass insulation batts or rolls are the way to go.
- Rigid foam insulation is also ideal for crawl spaces and basement walls. They create a vapor barrier and are waterproof.
- Open and closed cell spray foam insulation is where foam expands when sprayed. These are for fast insulation and can be used around obstacles, and they expand to fill gaps.
Seal attic
Most people are unaware of the link between attic insulation and their HVAC unit’s performance. However, it is crucial to understand this connection if you want your heating equipment to work efficiently. Without adequate attic insulation, heat from your HVAC unit will drift up into the attic, creating a warm environment that is ineffective for heating your home. As a result, you will likely find yourself struggling to achieve a comfortable temperature in your living space.
Here are a few materials you can insulate your attic with:
- Plywood/Wallboard
- Caulking
Insulate water pipes
One of the most common wintertime problems that homeowners face is frozen pipes. When water freezes, it expands, and this can cause pipes to burst. As a result, you may find yourself dealing with flooding or water damage. The best way to prevent this problem is to winterize your pipes by insulating them.
- Heat tape– this is an easy and effective way to prevent your pipes from freezing. Simply wrap the heat tape around your pipes and plug it into a power socket. The heat generated by the tape will help to keep your pipes from freezing, even in the coldest weather.
- Let your faucets trickle water– one way to prevent your pipes from freezing during colder months is to keep the faucets slightly open. Flowing water does not freeze, so by keeping the taps open at night, you can help reduce the risk of your pipes bursting. To prevent water wastage, you can put a bowl underneath the facet.
Clean gutters and inspect your roof
One of the essential ways you can weatherize your home is by cleaning out your gutters. Leaves and debris can quickly clog gutters and downspouts, causing water to leak from the roof. In severe cases, this can even lead to the formation of dangerous ice dams.
In addition to cleaning out your gutters, you should also inspect your roof for any damage. Check for broken or missing shingles and repair any damage you find. Start by applying a thick layer of roofing sealant under the crack. Next, press the shingle down and apply a second layer. Then spread it evenly with a putty knife. If you have a missing shingle, you will need to replace the whole thing.
Schedule your programmable thermostat
Did you know that you could save money on your energy bills year-round simply by adjusting your thermostat? With a programmable or smart thermostat, you can set the temperature to lower automatically when you are away or during the night. By turning your thermostat back 7–10 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours a day, you could save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling.
Get Weatherization Assistance in Hillsboro Today!
There are a lot of industries that tell you to buy locally, but in the case of home weatherization, it really matters. Home styles are typically regional, and as a local company, we know where the weak spots are in home weatherization depending on the style and layout. This allows us to quickly and accurately perform a home efficiency test and identify areas that will benefit from our weatherization services in Hillsboro. Choose Northwest Weatherization. We use better products, certified employees, and buy materials directly from the source. We’re the company that provides comprehensive home weatherization services that will save you money on your energy bills and keep your family comfortable all year round. Contact us today to schedule a free home efficiency test or energy audit to check and make sure your home is weatherized properly.
Here are the related services we offer:
- Air sealing and draft elimination
- Free energy audit and home efficiency test
- Comprehensive weatherization improvements
- Floor insulation
- Insulation in walls
- Insulation of attics
Read our About Us page for more information about our company!