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ENERGY TIPS

Save Energy: 10 Affordable Ways to Weatherize Your Home

Affordable Home Weatherization Tips

Whether you’re looking ahead to prepare for colder months or want to learn how to increase your energy savings throughout the year, weatherizing your home for each season is a great way to save energy and stay comfortable all year long. During fall and winter months, your heating system and water heater work overtime to keep you warm.

Weatherizing your home can help your appliances use less energy and generate heat more efficiently. Plus, it’s a good idea to plan your budget now so that you’re ready to weatherize your home in time for fall.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, maintaining your heating equipment regularly and upgrading your system with recommended insulation, air sealing and thermostat settings can save you up to 30% per year on energy costs. Read the tips below to learn ten affordable ways to stay cozy and save energy this fall and winter.

Energy-Saving Tip: The United States Department of Energy offers Weatherization Assistance to some qualifying households. Learn More

10 Budget-Friendly Tips for Weatherizing Your Home This Fall and Winter

1. Maintain and clean your heating system

Most heating systems need to be cleaned at least once a year. Before the cold months approach, plan to have your heating system serviced by a professional who can perform a power flush and clean your heating system. While they’re there, they should also check your electrical connections, lubricate moving mechanical parts and inspect the condensate drain. This can help your heating system work more efficiently and prevent costly repairs in the future.

Energy-Saving Tip: If you’re an EPB customer, you may be able to get back $50 when you hire a qualified contractor to perform an HVAC tune-up. Learn More

weatherize your home

2. Insulate exterior-facing wall outlets

One less obvious way cold air can get into your home is through your outlets. In older homes, there is often no insulation around outlets. These tiny holes in your walls can let the cold in or warmth out. Adding insulation using one of the following methods can help minimize this heat loss:

  • Outlet gaskets: Foam or silicone outlet gaskets fit on the front of your electrical cover plates. They’re inexpensive, simple to install and widely available at hardware stores and online retail shops.
  • Electrical box sealant: Foam, putty, caulk or silicone sealants can be used to seal gaps around your outlets. Installation requires removing the outlet cover plate and applying the sealant around the electrical box. Although they require a little more effort to install, they’re affordable and widely available.
  • Outlet covers: Use plastic outlet covers to seal up drafts that may be coming through. Watch this quick video to learn more about saving energy with outlet covers.

Safety Tip: Practice extreme caution when working around electricity to avoid injury and other hazards. Turn off the circuit breaker before working near an electrical outlet.

3. Eliminate door drafts

One of the easiest ways to save on energy costs in colder months is by eliminating drafts. The U.S. Department of Energy says eliminating drafts can reduce your energy costs by 5–30% per year. Even the smallest gaps around your exterior doors can let freezing air into your warm home. Identify areas that might have air leaks and seal them to keep cold air outside and conditioned air inside.

One easy way to eliminate drafts caused by exterior doors is by installing draft stoppers to create a barrier along the bottom of your doors, blocking drafts and boosting your home’s energy efficiency. You can typically find draft savers at hardware stores in a variety of shapes, types and sizes.

4. Seal doors and windows with plastic or cloth

Another effective way to ensure cold air stays out is by sealing your doors and windows with plastic or cloth. This method is especially useful for doors and windows that are not frequently used. By sealing these less-utilized entrances, you can significantly reduce drafts and heat loss, making your home more energy-efficient when it’s cold outside.

To seal doors and windows, consider the following methods:

  • Plastic window insulation kits: These kits are widely available and easy to install. Simply attach the plastic film to the window frame and use a hair dryer to shrink the film, creating a tight seal.
  • Curtains, drapes or extra blankets: In colder months, you can hang window treatments or blankets over unused windows or doors to reduce air leaks. If your windows don’t have drafts and are well-insulated, you can open the drapes during the day to let in sunlight for extra warmth — just be sure to close them once the sun sets.
  • Door sweeps and draft stoppers: (See previous section for more information). Install door sweeps at the bottom of exterior doors to block drafts. Draft stoppers can also be placed along the bottom of doors and windows to provide additional insulation.
  • Fitted window shades: Install tight-fitting shades to help insulate your windows. For extra insulation, choose highly insulated honeycombed blinds that can be raised or lowered.

By reducing the number of areas exposed to the outdoors, you can focus on fully sealing entrances that may be letting in cold air to enhance your home’s overall energy efficiency.

5. Keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible

An even simpler way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is by keeping doors and windows shut. Ensuring that exterior doors close fully behind you when entering or exiting prevents gusts of cold air from entering and counteracting your heating efforts. Similarly, avoid opening windows unless absolutely necessary.

Here are a few tips to help you minimize the amount of time your doors and windows are open:

  • Check door and window locks. Ensure that locks are fully engaged, as this helps create a tighter seal.
  • Use automatic door closers. Install automatic door closers to make sure doors close completely every time.
  • Schedule regular inspections. Periodically inspect doors and windows for any signs of wear or damage that might prevent them from closing properly.
10 tips to weatherize your home
  • Ask your household members for help. Make it a habit to remind everyone in your household to close doors and windows behind them. Make it a fun activity for your kids by assigning them the role of “door monitor.” Create a game where they earn points or rewards for ensuring that all exterior doors are closed. This can help them feel involved and responsible while also contributing to your home’s energy efficiency.

By keeping doors and windows closed, you can significantly reduce the amount of cold air entering your home, making your heating system work more efficiently and helping you save on energy costs.

6. Cover your water heater

Water heaters consume a significant amount of energy, especially during the winter months, which is why using an insulating cover is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to weatherize your home. Water heater insulation can reduce standby heat loss by 24-45% and save you about 7–16% on your water heating energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

You can purchase pre-cut water heater insulation jackets or insulating blankets specifically designed to wrap around your water heater. They’re easy to install, cost around $20 and can provide a quick return on investment by lowering your energy bills.

How to install a water heater blanket:

  1. Turn off the water heater and allow it to cool.
  2. Wrap the blanket around the water heater, leaving the top, bottom and thermostat panel uncovered.
  3. Secure the blanket with tape or straps provided in the kit.
  4. Turn the water heater back on.

Safety Tip: The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting electric water heaters that are insulated with a cover to 130ºF or below.

7. Remove or wrap your window air conditioning unit

In regions with consistently cold weather during the winter, your air conditioner becomes unnecessary for a few months. Here are some energy-saving tips for managing your air conditioner during colder seasons:

Remove window units. If possible, take down your window unit and store it in a safe place. Once removed, seal the window with weatherstripping or a plastic insulation kit to prevent drafts.

Wrap fixed units. For fixed units that cannot be removed, use foam sealing strips or sealing tape to cover any gaps between the window and the air conditioner. This will block cold air from entering your home.

Here’s how to wrap your fixed unit:

  1. Clean the area around the air conditioner to ensure a good seal.
  2. Apply foam sealing strips or sealing tape around the edges of the air conditioner unit.
  3. Consider using a cover specifically designed for air conditioners to provide additional insulation.

You can find these sealing products at most home improvement stores or online by searching for “window sealing tape” or “foam sealing strips.”

8. Take warm (not hot) showers

While it may be tempting to indulge in long, hot showers on chilly days, doing so can significantly increase your energy consumption. Water heaters use a lot of energy to maintain high temperatures, and water heating accounts for up to 18% of your home’s energy usage.

By opting for shorter, cooler (aim for warm rather than hot) showers, you can reduce this excessive energy usage, lower your energy bills and reap a few health benefits.

Here are some tips to help you conserve energy while showering:

  • Set a timer. Using a stopwatch app or other means of tracking time, find out how long your normal-length showers last. When you shower next, set a timer that reduces your recorded showering time by three minutes to save on energy and water usage.
weatherize your home affordably
  • Lower the temperature to warm instead of hot. Reducing the water temperature slightly can make a big difference in energy consumption.
  • Use a low-flow showerhead. Installing a low-flow showerhead can reduce the amount of water used without sacrificing water pressure.
  • Buy a high-quality shower curtain. A thermal shower curtain can help retain heat within the shower area, reducing the need for excessively hot water. These curtains are designed to insulate and keep the warmth in, making your shower experience more comfortable and energy-efficient.

Additionally, taking warm showers has potential health benefits, such as improving circulation, preventing dry skin and boosting your immune system.

9. Check and weatherize your chimney and fireplace

Properly using and maintaining your chimney damper and flue can greatly improve your home’s energy efficiency. The damper is an adjustable plate inside the flue that controls airflow, preventing warm air from escaping and cold air from entering when the fireplace is not in use.

Tips for managing your damper and flue:

  • Close the damper. Always close it when the fireplace is not in use to prevent heat loss.
  • Inspect and clean. Regularly check for damage and have your flue cleaned annually to remove soot and creosote.
  • Install a top-sealing damper. Consider installing a top-sealing damper for a tighter seal and better energy efficiency.
  • Open the damper before lighting a fire. Close it once the fire is out and the embers are cool.
  • Install tempered glass doors. Adding glass doors to your fireplace can further improve energy efficiency by preventing warm air from escaping and cold air from coming in. Make sure to:
    • Close the Doors. After the fire is extinguished.
    • Use heat-resistant glass. Ensure durability and safety.
    • Check the seals. Regularly inspect for intact seals.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s guide on fireplaces.

10. Seal drafts with weatherstripping or caulk

Sealing gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping or caulk can prevent drafts and save you about 5-10% on your energy costs. It’s easy, inexpensive and only takes about an hour to complete.

Follow these tips to seal your windows with weatherstripping or caulking:

  • Weatherstripping: Use it to seal movable parts like doors and windows.
    • Choose the right type for the project. Weatherstripping comes in various materials, such as foam, felt, vinyl and metal. Select the type that best suits your needs.
    • Clean the surface. Ensure the area where you’ll apply the weatherstripping is dust-free, clean and dry.
    • Measure and apply. Cut to size and attach to edges for a tight seal.
  • Caulking: Use it to seal stationary gaps around window and door frames.
    • Choose the right caulk. Use a high-quality caulk suitable for the material you are sealing, such as silicone, latex or acrylic.
    • Prepare the area. Clean and remove old caulk. Ensure the area is dust-free and dry.
    • Open and apply. Cut the tip of the caulk tube at a 45-degree angle and apply a continuous bead of caulk along the gap.
    • Smooth the caulk. Use a caulk smoothing tool or your finger to smooth the caulk and ensure it fills the gap completely.

The tips above are some of the easiest, most affordable ways to weatherize your home. However, there are many additional steps you can take to make your home even more comfortable and energy efficient in colder months, especially if you’re willing to take on tasks that are a little more complicated or expensive upfront.

If you’re an EPB customer, you can schedule a free EPB Energy ProsSM Home Energy Checkup to ask energy questions, find out which weatherization projects would improve your home’s energy efficiency the most. Plus, we’ll show you how to get back thousands in rebates for home energy upgrades.

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