New windows or doors might not be in the budget, but a drafty home means higher heat bills in the fall and winter months, plus expensive and inefficient cooling during the summer. Keep your home comfortable all year long with these easy-breezy tips.
Drafty Windows
Lock those windows when it’s cold! It might not seem like much, but the extra pressure pushing down from the lock helps your windows seal more tightly against the wind. Now what else can you do?
This is a great time to swap out the lighter curtains for heavier drapes. Don’t have heavy drapes? Surplus wool blankets work well, and you can even make your own woolen blanket curtains. You’ll want to keep them closed during frigid temperatures, but if you have sun-facing windows on a chilly day, consider opening the drapes to allow the sun in and help warm your space.
Window insulation kits are easy to install and can be purchased for anywhere between $10-$20 to cover multiple windows. They are basically a thin layer of transparent film that will add an extra layer of space between the window and the room to act as a buffer, keeping the warm air in and the cold air out. You can also use bubble wrap as an added buffer beneath the kit.
Adding these layers of insulation can help during the hotter months as well, working to better keep the heat out and the cooled air in throughout summer. Think it’s unnecessary? Give it a try and watch your A/C bills go down—when there’s less air escaping, your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard or use as much energy to keep your spaces cool.
Drafty Doors
The simplest thing you can do is add a draft snake in front of your door. Don’t worry, we don’t mean the living variety; though this is certainly something you can get creative with! Not terribly skilled at sewing? You can purchase ready-made draft stoppers between $10-$20; some are even designed to move with the door, so you don’t have to keep scooching it back in place.
Window Air Conditioner Covers
It’s best if you can remove your window air conditioning units for the cooler season and just close the window. Since this isn’t always an option, however, air conditioner covers are your next best bet. These affordable covers are available at most home improvement stores for anywhere between $5-$20, depending on the size and brand of your unit, and will help keep those chilly winds outside the window.
Handy Around the House?
If you’re the handy type, there’s plenty more you can do to seal up your home this season, conserve energy, and lower those utility bills.