DIY Home Winterization Projects
DIY Home Winterization Projects
You could be losing hundreds of dollars each month in energy costs if your home is not properly winterized. Luckily, there are some simple, do-it-yourself fixes that will help keep your home warm and save you money at the same time:
- Add Area Rugs: Placing area rugs on hardwood floors will help keep your home warm. Place a dark rug in an area of your home that receives a lot of natural sunlight, as the rug will absorb the suns heat and help make the room warmer. Besides adding visual appeal, area rugs also keep your feet warm and insulate cold floors.
- Weatherstrip Your Windows: Head to your local hardware store and pick up V-seal weather strip, which is used to fill in cracks, rubber foam seal, and thin nails. You’ll also need some basic tools, including a tape measure and a hammer. After thoroughly cleaning your windows (including the ledges), measure the side sashes of your windows, cut the V-strip to the proper length, and push it into the sash. Peel off the adhesive and hammer it in. Follow the same technique for the other side of the window sash, and use the rubber foam to seal the bottom of the window.
- Do Away With Drafts: The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that drafts can waste as much as 30% of energy in a home. If you can feel the cold air slipping through under a drafty door, install a draft stopper (aka draft snake) under the door. You can buy them online, use an old rolled up bath towel, or make one yourself using fabric and filling it with sand for weight.
- Protect With Plastic: If weather stripping sounds a bit too complex, pick up a window insulation kit instead. It’s an inexpensive fix which will help protect against drafts. If properly installed, the window plastic (also called shrink film) is invisible. If your windows are especially old and drafty, consider investing in replacement windows, which are more energy-efficient and will save you hundreds each month on your energy bills.
For more information about cost-efficient, energy-saving tips for your home, contact Power Home Remodeling Group at 888.REMODEL.