Exploring How To Reduce Your Energy Bills This Winter By Draught Proofing Your Home Gets Significant Savings

By Damian Hounslow


It is not difficult learning how to reduce your energy bills this winter by draught proofing your home.Currents of cold air enter through openings to the outdoors from the inside of the home. The repeated heating of the cold air entering the house raises the heating bill very quickly. Taking the time to find these leaky areas and blocking the incoming draught will make a noticeable improvement in your energy bills.

You can light a match and blow out the flame to follow the trail of smoke or just light up an incense stick. The smoke will be pulled by the drafty air to the location of the opening. When the air is colder outside than inside you will feel the source of cold more easily.

The area around the exterior doors is notorious for draughts. A good caulking specifically designed for these areas is what is needed. The door frame often pulls away from the walls leaving gaps for cold air to come in. When you put painters' tape down first and then follow the space with the caulking compound you will have a straighter line of caulking. The tape can be removed once the caulking is done. Wipe any excess compound off before tape removal.

Side areas of the door have leaky cold air in also. Purchasing the correct width of door tape will take care of incoming cold air. It consists of a foam-type of tape with an adhesive backing. Inefficient door thresholds must be replaced by the new all weather thresholds. Additionally, replacing the old door sweep with a new one helps in reducing heating costs.

Light switch outlets are notorious areas for draughts. Placing a universal gasket behind them will significantly block draughts. One just needs to unscrew the switch plate and place the foam gasket behind the plate.

The exterior vent for the clothes dryer is usually run through an exterior wall. This area is open to the cold outdoor air. Foam that expands will take care of this problem area in minutes. It is recommended to wear gloves and have a damp rag handy to wipe off any excess foam as it expands more than one would expect.

Many websites with videos show how to reduce energy bills this winter by draught proofing the home. The fall is the best time to start on the project since the cooler weather will be helpful in locating the draughts. One doesn't usually turn on the heat until late fall so the heating costs will not be taking effect.




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