Weatherize Your Windows and Save Big This Winter
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Your home’s windows are a source of ventilation, heat and light during the winter. But they can also waste 10% to 25% of your energy bill by letting heat out of the house. You don’t have to compromise on comfort to reduce your heating costs. And while major weatherization projects should be handled by an HVAC professional, you can use the below window winterization tips to help you waste less energy in the cold winter months.
- Mount insulated curtains to prevent conditioned air from escaping and maintain a consistent indoor temperature.
- Check thoroughly for broken or cracked windows, and fix or replace any damaged windows.
- Scrape any dried or cracked putty from the edges of your windowpanes and re-apply using a putty knife.
- Check for leaks by holding a candle near the outside edges of window frames. If the flame goes out or flickers, then apply caulk to seal the leak.
- Apply weather stripping around your doors and windows, which will allow you to open them after you apply it (unlike rope caulk).
- If your primary windows are still in good condition, install low-e storm windows; they can save 12%–33% in heating and cooling costs.
- If your home has very old or inefficient windows, consider upgrading them to new, energy-efficient windows. They’ll pay for themselves through lower heating and cooling costs over time.
