The temperatures in Northeast Ohio can be extreme during the winter. The changing weather and frigid temperatures can sometimes be felt inside the home. Electric bills can skyrocket during the January and February months, and during July and August, the cooling of the home can be an unpleasant bill to get.
If you have some draft coming from the windows or doors, winterizing them might be a good idea to save on those electric and gas bills. Even during the summer months, when temperatures can reach record highs, these 8 tips can save you on high cooling bills.
- Sealing cracks around the windows-If you have old windows or broken windows that need to be replaced, there is a high probability that the cold air is coming through the cracks. You might need to replace the seal around the windows or caulking small openings if you cannot replace all the windows at once.
- Sealing the doors-The caulk around the doors’ wood frame can become loose and you might have a small opening where the cold air is coming from. Caulking it to seal it is an easy chore to do and it might stop the heat from escaping and the cold from entering your home. If the gap is too big to caulk first, fill in the gap and then apply the sealant. A home improvement store has a huge inventory of calks, sealants, and products to fill in the cracks no matter how big they are.
- Sealing the windows-A heavy-duty tape use around the windows to prevent air from coming in or escaping is a cheap solution for many homeowners. It is easy to apply and easy to remove. If you feel a draft coming from the windows, applying this tape around the window panes might stop the draft altogether.
- Weather Strips for your main doors-Some homes have gaps at the bottom of outside doors that are big enough to feel drafts all year long. If you really want to stop the cold air from entering the home, applying a weather strip at the bottom of the door might do the trick. The weatherstrips in major home improvement stores are easy to install, adjustable, and come in different colors and width. They do not require you to be handy or spend a lot buying them.
- Heavy Drapes-Putting up heavy drapes or blinds in drafty rooms can stop the cold from coming into the room. If it is a sunny day, open the drapes or blinds and let the room warm up naturally.
- Window Plastic Seal-This is another inexpensive way to prevent cold air from coming into the home. Applying an indoor or outdoor crystal clear film on the windows can save you a lot in your electric bill. The window plastic seal can be clear, black, gray, or have a different look if you wish. You can even have an artistic window seal if that’s your preference. The windows do not have to be ugly to protect your home from the winter cold.
- Seal the cracks between the window panes-Heavy duty tape or removable caulk to seal the crack between the window panes is another solution that is cheap, and easy to do.
- Close and Lock all windows-Make sure all your windows are closed and locked well. A tiny gap in one window can let a lot of heat escape. It can be difficult to spot if you do not make sure they are locked as well.
There are many ways you can save on your electric bill, and one of them is making sure your home is closed well during the winter and summer months. Keep in mind that a drafty window or door cannot only let cold air come into the home, but it can let it escape as well during the summer months. Plus, exposure to cold temperature, rain, and snow can deteriorate your windows and make their durability much shorter.