Oh, wait. That's not the wild wind, that's a draft coming in through the cracks in the slanty shanty we call home. My natural gas utility tells me if I add up all the small cracks and gaps in our house, they could equal a 2-by-2 foot hole in the wall. Even worse, it could cost me up to 40% more to heat this winter.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates 10% of heat losses are from poorly-sealed windows, and another 2% is lost from uninsulated wall outlets. Sealing my home from the winter's chill is one of the simplest and most cost-effective things I can do to keep the heat where I want it, keep the bills lower, and reduce consumption of a non-renewable fuel source.
- Take a little patience, an extra set of hands (or two), and a hair dryer to seal the deal with plastic window kits. We did this last year in the rooms we use the least, and it made a noticeable difference. Before you decide the plastic-covered windows are ugly, consider how ugly your winter heating bills can be. The living room, dining room and foyer are on the docket for this year.
For the double-hung windows I am not using plastic on -- like the kitchen and bathroom windows -- I can use rope caulk to seal up small leaks. It's easy to press around the window edges by hand, it's easy to remove again, and it can be stored and reused if clean and flexible.- Foam insulating gaskets for your electrical outlets and light switch plates and safety caps to stop the air leaks. You'll want to turn off the power at the breaker box before starting this one.
It looks like my weekend is booked. More energy-saving suggestions can be found at:
http://www.mnenergychallenge.org/
http://www.energysavers.gov/
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