Strategies for Enhancing Window Insulation to Reduce Energy Expenses
Poorly secured windows allow warmth to infiltrate your home during summer, while letting in chilly drafts during winter. Consequently, your HVAC system works excessively to maintain your desired temperature, resulting in high energy bills. In this article, we discuss various methods to seal windows using materials such as caulk, weather stripping, plastic shrink-wrap, and draft stoppers.
Sealing Windows
While upgrading to energy-efficient windows is the most efficient way to prevent drafts and lower utility bills, it's not always a viable option. Fortunately, there are several techniques to seal existing windows to minimize air transfer between the indoors and outdoors.
Using Caulk
Applying caulk around windows can significantly reduce draftiness, making it a cost-effective sealing solution. Suitable for filling small cracks around window components, caulk creates a watertight and airtight seal that remains flexible for years after application, preventing cracking due to natural expansion and contraction.
However, if your window has gaps larger than half an inch, caulk may not be as effective. In such cases, expanding foam insulation designed for window and door use may be necessary to fill deep cavities. Once the foam is fully expanded, trim it flush using a sharp knife and cover it with a wood trim piece or a bead of caulk, depending on the window's requirement.
Using Weather Stripping
Weather stripping is a useful tool for sealing around moving components of a window, such as beneath a moving sash. While caulk seals the joint, weather stripping ensures a tight seal when the window is closed.
Most foam weather stripping has one sticky side, enabling it to be adhered to the fixed portion of the window without sticking to the moving one. Enhance the bond between the foam weather stripping and the window sash by cleaning the window with a degreaser, removing dust or debris, and drying the surface thoroughly.
Using Plastic Shrink-Wrap
Temporary airtight seals around windows can be achieved by using plastic shrink-wrap window insulating kits, including double-stick tape and sheets of plastic shrink-wrap.
To seal a window using plastic shrink-wrap, follow these steps:
- Clean the window.
- Adhere strips of double-stick tape to all four sides of the window frame.
- Cut the plastic sheeting slightly larger than the window pane. Press it against the double-stick tape to secure it.
- Heat the plastic using a hairdryer or a heat gun on low, starting from the perimeter and moving across the shrink-wrap until it is taut.
- Remove excess plastic using a utility knife.
When shrink-wrapping multiple windows, leave at least one window uncovered in each room for potential fire escape purposes.
Using Draft Stoppers
Store-bought draft stoppers can be an easy and effective solution for blocking drafts with minimal effort and without altering the window. Various draft stopper styles exist for different window types.
Many draft stoppers include two tubes that can be cut to fit the window's width and then slid into a piece of fabric. The fabric can then be slid beneath the window sash. Once the window is closed, the two tubes are compressed tightly on either side of the window. While this style may be effective for windows, they are often used for doors.
A more effective window draft stopper design involves a strip that sticks to the bottom edge of the window sash. Once the sash is closed, the overhanging rubber material compresses against the window frame, preventing airflow.
The simplest draft stopper style is a long pillow that can be placed at the bottom of the window to block the draft.
Identifying a Drafty Window
If you're unsure of the origin of your window draft (like a visible crack), finding the source can be challenging. Here are some useful techniques for identifying a window draft:
- Turn off fans and other air movers. Drafts may be difficult to identify due to sources like fans, dehumidifiers, HVAC systems, and more.
- Light a candle and place it near the window. Blow out the candle and observe the smoke. The candle smoke will blow if it's positioned near the draft. This method may require multiple tries and can be helpful in tracing the window's border with the candle.
- Lightweight curtains may move when influenced by a window draft.
- Drafty windows tend to accumulate condensation buildup. If you notice condensation on just one window, it's likely the source of the draft.
While investing in energy-efficient windows can significantly reduce energy bills and drafts, not everyone can afford this upgrade. Fortunately, home improvement ideas such as sealing windows using caulk, weather stripping, plastic shrink-wrap, and draft stoppers can help minimize air transfer and lower energy costs. For example, applying caulk around windows can fill small cracks, creating a watertight and airtight seal. If gaps are larger, expanding foam insulation might be necessary. Weather stripping, on the other hand, ensures a tight seal around moving window components. When it comes to temporary solutions, plastic shrink-wrap window insulating kits can provide temporary airtight seals. Lastly, store-bought draft stoppers can be an easy and effective way to block drafts without altering the window.
