Despite the temperate winters here in the Coastal Bend, air leaks around your home can increase your heating bills in the winter, and they can make cooling your home more expensive than it needs to be.
Weatherizing windows is a good place to start sealing air leaks in the home for better energy efficiency. Gaps and cracks around the windows allow unconditioned air to infiltrate and conditioned air to escape, increasing the load on your HVAC system and lowering your comfort level.
Supplies You’ll Need for Weatherizing Windows
Weatherizing windows is an inexpensive project, and it can be done in a weekend. You’ll need a few supplies from the hardware store:
- Silicone caulk.
- Rope caulk.
- Expandable caulk, if you have large holes or gaps around your windows.
- Window insulation kits.
- Adhesive-back
Caulk is easy to work with, but if you’ve never done it, read the directions carefully before you begin.
Weatherizing Windows 101
Start with your home’s exterior:
- Use the silicone caulk to seal where the window meets the exterior of the house.
- Use the expandable caulk to seal large gaps or cracks around the windows.
- Install storm windows if you have them.
Move indoors:
- Use the silicone caulk to seal the seam where the window frame meets the wall.
- Open the windows, and install weatherstripping at the top and bottom to create a seal where the movable parts meet.
- Use rope caulk to seal around the movable parts of the windows. You can remove it in spring.
- Install window insulation kits if you don’t have storm windows or if your windows are old or particularly drafty.
Keep your window coverings open when the sun is shining to take advantage of solar heat gain. Close them at night to help keep heat in.
Consider an Energy Audit
A DIY home energy audit pinpoints areas in your home where you’re losing air so that you can improve energy efficiency. For more information about an energy audit, or for more expert advice on weatherizing windows in the home, please feel free to contact us at CCAC, proudly serving our Corpus Christi-area neighbors.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.
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