If you’re from the New England region, you understand how diverse the weather can be. You can get blistering cold winters and scorching hot summers.
Figuring out how to weatherproof your home is crucial.
While the leaves turn green and schools begin letting out for the summer, it’s easy to forget that hot air will be arriving soon. Is your home ready to defend against a long and hot summer?
Don’t spend all of your hard-earned money on your summer utility bills or on weatherproofing your home. Here are some of our favorite ways to weatherproof your home.
How to Weatherproof Windows to Prevent Cold Air From Escaping
When it’s time to weatherproof your home, first look at your outside doors and windows. Warm air may be seeping through the cracks of your windows, which is not energy efficient. It’s likely making your cooling costs higher than they need to be. If only a few areas of your home need a little TLC, like old windows, run to your local hardware store, and pick up some caulking and weather stripping to keep the cold air in. Weatherproofing windows can be a simple and inexpensive way to reduce your cooling and heating costs.
Here’s an easy trick to see if you have drafty windows. Light a candle and slowly move it around your window frame. If the candle flickers, then outside air is leaking in. Check doors leading outside too. Add some door sweeps if you feel a draft coming in. Save energy and keep your cooling and heating system from overworking and sending hard-earned warm or cold air out.
How to Weatherproof a Door
Doors are one of the most important parts of any home, providing security, insulation, and privacy. But doors can also be vulnerable to the elements, especially during extreme weather conditions. To help protect your door from the elements, here are a few simple tips, which are similar to our window weatherproofing tips.
First, make sure that there is no gap between the door and the frame. Gaps can let in water, wind, and pests.
Second, if possible, install a storm door. Storm doors provide an extra layer of protection against wind and rain.
Third, seal any cracks or gaps with caulk or weatherstripping.
By taking these simple steps, you can help to ensure that your door withstands the worst that mother nature has to offer.
How to Weatherproof a Garage Door
Most homeowners don’t realize their garage area can leave their home vulnerable to allowing air and pests in. One way to weatherproof a garage door is to install a rubber seal along the bottom edge of the door. This will help to keep out moisture and drafts.
Another common way to weatherproof a garage door is to add weatherstripping around the edges of the door. This will help to create a tight seal, preventing air and moisture from entering the garage. You can also apply a coat of waterproof sealant to the door. This will create an additional barrier against moisture and help to extend the life of the door. By weatherproofing your garage door you can help to keep it in good condition for years to come.
Weatherproofing Storm Windows to Protect Your Cold or Warm Air
Weatherproofing storm windows are an inexpensive and easy way to keep your home cool in the summer. If you have them installed, make sure professional weatherproofing agents weatherproof them to prevent leaks and reduce heat loss. Call the Wattson Home Solutions experts to get a free assessment of your storm windows and exterior doors. Our team can teach you different strategies to become more energy-efficient and ensure your windows are installed correctly.
Prevent that “Stuffy” Feeling
There are various ways to keep your home from feeling stuffy. A straightforward method is by using draft-proofing solutions on exposed areas, including door and window frames. Honeycomb shades or weather-stripping are a great place to start. You should lower the shades during the day when it’s warmer out, so they can block any warm air coming in through the window and exterior walls. Add honeycomb cellular shades to help keep cooling costs down in the summer by blocking harsh rays from the sun.
Try a Programmable Thermostat
Cooling your home in the summer can lead to higher utility bills, so it’s important to find ways to control the indoor temperature. Having temperature control allows your system to work more efficiently and keep your utility costs down.
We recommend replacing your old thermostat with a programmable thermostat (it automates indoor temperature, so you don’t have to). They allow people who are often busy or travel a lot to automate the settings on their schedules without needing someone else set them up beforehand.
With remote access features provided by most smart home technology models, managing temperatures is easy. You’ll save money on annual energy costs, up to $200 per year. You can save even more money with the Mass Save Program if you choose a smart thermostat that can qualify you for their rebate program.
How to Weatherproof a Sliding Glass Door and Keep Cold Winter Air Out
Door draft stoppers are a great solution to stop drafty cold air from entering your home and provide a simple and effective weatherproofing of your home. Place them near your window and door frames leading outside for an extra layer of protection against the hot and cold weather.
Does someone at home love sewing? Create a door draft stopper with a little bit of fabric, some thread, and a bit of uncooked rice. Don’t know anything about sewing? You can pick a few up from your local store or from Amazon for about $10 each. Do you want something that will look nice too? There are plenty of styles to match any home decorations. If you feel a draft coming in through your door, these will help keep the hot or cold weather out.
Is a Ring Doorbell Weatherproof?
Your doors and windows aren’t the only things that need weatherproofing. You should make sure your exterior smart-home technology is protected, too.
Most ring doorbells are weatherproof and can withstand different types of weather conditions. However, there are some things to keep in mind when choosing a doorbell for your home. If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, you will want to choose a doorbell that is specifically designed to withstand those conditions.
For example, if you live in an area with high winds, you will want to choose a doorbell that is certified to withstand wind speeds of up to 150 mph. Also, if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow or rain, you will want to choose a doorbell that is waterproof and has a built-in drainage system.
If you use outdoor security cameras, make sure those can withstand various weather conditions, too.
Wrap Your Water Tank with a Water Heater Insulating Blanket
Did you know that adding an insulating blanket to your hot water heater can reduce heat loss by 25 to 40%? Consider throwing on a blanket to make sure your hot water heater is cozy all year long. Not just any blanket will do, and using any blanket off of your bed is considered a fire hazard. So if you’re taking on this DIY project, invest in the real thing. Water heater blankets are wonderful and inexpensive, considering all the money they will help you save on hot water costs and energy bills.
Clean Your Gutters
Weatherization projects should also include the outside of your home. Clean gutters will prevent water damage to your attic and protect your insulation. This type of damage can cause an array of issues. From structural damage to the growth of mold and mildew, water damage is nothing to mess with. Cleaning your gutters is an easy and free job if you DIY. All you need to start this job is a ladder and a hose.
Call For Backup Against the Hot Summer Air and Lower Your Energy Bills
If you aren’t an expert at DIY weatherization projects, we can help. The Wattson Home Solutions team can be your backup squad. We help you fill in the gaps in your routine with our home energy audit and air sealing services (such as the attic or basement insulation). We will ensure you don’t have a leaky house this summer and save energy. Home energy audit slots fill up quickly, so don’t wait until too late. We’re here to help you weatherproof your home.
Schedule a Mass Save home energy audit before our appointments are booked. An energy technician will locate vulnerable areas of your home for you.
And don’t forget to ask about our professional air sealing. Just set up a separate appointment with your energy advisor, and they can fix leaks and get your home energy efficient. Give our office a call today!
