Weatherize your windows.

How To Weatherize Windows and Save Money On Your Electric Bill

July 30, 2021

A leaky home increases your energy bills while compromising your comfort. If you're looking to save energy dollars and be more comfortable in your Des Moines home, no matter the season, maintaining and weatherizing windows is a great place to start. According to the US Department of Energy, sealing air leaks in your home could reduce your energy bill by 20%! Find out how to weatherize windows in your home, and learn more about the benefits.

Why Is It Important To Weatherize Your Windows?

When windows aren't weatherized, they can cause outside air to leak into your home and inside air to leak out. This makes the whole heating and cooling system less efficient, and it means you might spend more on your furnace and A/C bills.

In addition to cost savings, improving your HVAC efficiency through window weatherization has many other benefits.

Top 5 Benefits of Weatherizing Your Windows

1. Reduced Outside Noise

Weatherizing windows not only keeps outside air from infiltrating your home — it also blocks outside noise. Making your home more airtight will make it quieter and more comfortable for you and your family.

2. Fewer Allergens

Sealing cracks and air leaks also prevents allergens from entering your HVAC system and circulating throughout your home. If you are sensitive to seasonal allergens, weatherizing your windows is a great way to improve your indoor air quality.

3. Reduced Load on Your Furnace

When your windows aren’t sealed properly, your furnace and air conditioner have to work harder to heat and cool the air in your home. Weatherizing your windows reduces the load on your HVAC system and helps your equipment operate more efficiently.

4. Lower Energy Bills

Drafty windows allow treated air to freely escape, meaning your HVAC system runs more often to continue heating or cooling the air that’s circulating. Weatherize the windows in your house to seal it up and save money.

5. Improved Comfort

When air is constantly leaking in and out of your home, it can be difficult to maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature. Learning how to weatherize windows will make it easier to keep your house at a steady temperature.

What Do You Need To Weatherize Windows?

Weatherizing your windows is a relatively simple and inexpensive home improvement task, especially compared to the benefits of having a well-sealed home. You can weatherize windows with just a few supplies and a little bit of time. Weatherizing is something you can do yourself — no need to hire someone.

Supplies For Weatherizing Your Windows

There are a few different window weatherizing techniques that, when used together, produce excellent results. Look for the following supplies at your local hardware or home improvement store:

  • Caulking Gun
  • Expandable Caulk
  • Silicone Caulk
  • Rope Caulk
  • Weatherstripping with Adhesive Backing
  • Window Insulation Kits

Caulk and weatherstripping are easy to use, but be sure to follow caulking best practices and read all instructions on the packaging before you get started.

How To Weatherize Windows

1. 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. Silicone sealants are waterproof and excellent for making window seams both airtight and watertight.

2. Move Inside

Inside your house, seal around each 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.

3. Use Windows Efficiently

Once your windows are weatherized, use windows and window treatments efficiently for maximum benefit. In the winter, keep your curtains or blinds 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. In the summer, keeping your blinds closed during the day keeps your house darker and cooler.

Increase Efficiency With a Home Energy Audit

Windows aren’t the only place air can escape. Other common problem areas for air leaks include:

  • Door frames
  • Attics
  • Ducts and pipes
  • Baseboards
  • Recessed lighting fixtures
  • Outlets
  • Fireplaces and chimney shafts
  • Service entrances
  • Foundations
  • And more

To pinpoint exactly where your home is wasting energy, consider a home energy audit. Home energy audits are a comprehensive evaluation that can help guide you as you air seal your home. Perform a DIY home energy audit, or hire a professional.

The HVAC experts at Lozier can help you get the best value out of your heating and cooling system. To learn more, please contact Lozier Heating & Cooling.