When it starts to get colder outside, gas bills tend to skyrocket. Homeowners everywhere start looking for ways to save money, hoping to improve efficiency and keep the cold air outside. Some homeowners choose to turn down the temperature to simply deal with the cold air, but most find that even that proves costly after considering the frozen pipes and future leaks.
Here are four simple steps to help you effectively lower your gas bills while maintaining a cozy and warm feeling inside your home.
1 – Identify Potential Air Leaks
If you want to stop cold air from coming inside your home, it is important to first identify the air leaks. Cold air can travel into the house through many different places that you might not even consider. Be sure to consider the following areas when looking for air leaks:
- Door frames
- Window seals
- Pipes and vents that extend outside (i.e. electric and gas lines, fan, dryer vent, AC unit, etc.)
- Damaged areas or cracks in the foundation
2 – Seal Cracks
Once you have identified where the cold air is coming into the house, you are ready to seal up the cracks. Air can easily travel through cracks in the foundation and the spaces between pipes. You may be surprised to learn that air can even travel through spaces between the ceiling and fixtures that are not properly installed. To seal these types of leaks, you will need the following three materials:
- Caulk or putty
- Putty knife
- Cleaning rag
Simply apply a small amount of caulk or putty to the desired area and use the putty knife to smooth it evenly. Use the rag to clean off any excess.
3 – Seal Door And Window Frames With Weather Stripping
Over time, weather stripping can become damaged or loose. When this happens, air can easily travel in and out, making it difficult to maintain the temperature you want in the house. New weather stripping is very inexpensive and easy to install, so it is well worth the effort. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer, and apply new weather stripping to the areas surrounding your windows and doors.
4 – Reinforce Bottom Of Doors
The areas right below doors can be an easy place for air to travel in and out, so they often need some reinforcement. To prevent air leaks, install reinforced weather stripping or a door sweep in these areas.
By following these simple steps, you can help keep the cold air outside so that you can enjoy a warm house and low bills throughout the winter. For more information about how to save money and keep the cold air out, contact the heating experts at www.allstar-air.com/blog.