weatherizing-windows

Want Better Home Energy Savings? Weatherize Those Windows!

January 4, 2017

A leaky home increases your energy bills while compromising your comfort. If you're looking to save energy dollars and stay cozy in your Des Moines home this winter, maintaining and weatherizing windows is a great place to start. Windows are notorious for allowing cold air to infiltrate your home and letting warm air escape outside.

Weatherizing windows is an inexpensive task that you can complete in a weekend, and the benefits include:

  • Reduced outside noise.
  • A reduced load on your furnace.
  • Lower energy bills.
  • Improved comfort.
  • Fewer allergens entering your home.

What You'll Need for Weatherizing Windows

Head to the hardware store for some essential supplies:

  • Expandable caulk.
  • Silicone caulk.
  • Rope caulk.
  • Weatherstripping with adhesive backing.
  • Window insulation kits.

Caulking is a simple, straightforward task, but if you've never done it, read the directions carefully before you begin weatherizing.

How to Weatherize Your Windows

Start outside. Look for holes, gaps and cracks around your windows that are too large to be filled with silicone caulk, and use the expandable caulk to seal them. Use silicone caulk to seal the seam between the window frame and the exterior wall.

Inside, seal around the window frame where it meets the wall. Open the windows, and install weatherstripping along the top and bottom. Close the window, and use rope caulk to seal along the movable parts. Finally, install the window insulation kits if you have no storm windows or your home is particularly drafty.

Once your windows are weatherized, keep your window treatments open on sunny days to let the sun help warm your rooms. Close them on cloudy days or at night to help keep warm air inside.

Consider a Home Energy Audit

Other common sites of air leaks include baseboards, recessed lighting fixtures, outlets, and service entrances. To pinpoint exactly where your home is wasting energy, consider a DIY or professional home energy audit to help guide you as you air seal your home.

For more information about weatherizing windows, or to ask about a home energy audit, please contact us at Lozier Heating & Cooling, proudly serving the Des Moines area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Des Moines, Iowa area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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