Seal and Caulk Air Leaks Before Summer’s End

Seal and Caulk Air Leaks Before Summer's EndWeatherizing your Kansas City area home means preparing it to withstand the extreme outdoor temperature fluctuations. The best step is to seal and caulk air leaks that allow conditioned air to escape outdoors. This will save substantial energy when cooling and heating, and reduce gas and electric bills. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that unsealed drafts can waste anywhere from 5 to 30 percent of annual energy usage.

Windows

  • Seal and caulk air leaks around your windows to keep out cold air drafts. Installing storm windows can also help weatherize your home. Use weatherstripping for movable parts of the window and caulk for stationary gaps around the window frame.
  • If you have window A/C units, take them out during the winter to prevent heat from needlessly escaping.
  • Window shades are an excellent tool for preventing heat gain or loss. Keep them closed during summer days, but open during the day in the winter when you want as much help with your heating as possible.

Doors

  • Use weatherstripping to seal air leaks in doors that lead to the outside. Weatherstripping comes in a variety of styles and sizes, and can be selected to meet your needs. Start your weatherstripping project at the back of the house, so any errors in application won’t be as obvious. You’ll get better as you move toward the front of the house.
  • Use special door sweeps to seal the space at the bottom of the door.

Attics 

  • Have your attic insulated. Consult with a professional contactor to see what is recommended for your home.  Insulation will keep heat from escaping your home during the winter. Sometimes you may be able to add to the existing insulation rather than removing the old and replacing with new product. Also you will want to seal and caulk any air leaks that you find between the attic and the ceilings below. Spray foam can be used for larger gaps such as in recessed lighting or plumbing or electrical fixtures.

For more information on how best to seal and caulk air leaks, or for other quality HVAC solutions and products, contact your neighborhood HVAC experts at Overland Park Heating & Cooling, Inc., serving the Greater Kansas City area since 1983.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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