Get your home ready for the cooler months with some simple tips that can have a huge impact. Many times, we wait until we get that first huge energy bill before we try to deduce why our home is using so much energy. By taking preventative measures, though, you can make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable temperature-wise. Follow our fall window maintenance tips and start this beautiful season off on the right foot.
Check your home’s interior
Doing an interior check on your home is a great way to find where energy is escaping your home. Start by inspecting your windows for cracks, openings, and drafts. Drafty windows can be the biggest culprit of temperature inconsistencies in your home. With drafty windows, heat can easily escape, and cool air can easily come in. An easy way to diagnosis a drafty window is the flame test. Hold a small flame near a suspected drafty window; if the flame noticeably flickers, you have draft. Be very careful when using this method, as to not allow any materials to be set ablaze. Even without the flame test, drafts can be identified just by the noticeable difference in temperature from other areas of your home.
Install window treatments
A great way to address drafty windows is to install new window treatments. You can find curtains and shades that can block out external forces. Install window treatments that can keep out light, alongside certain levels of noise and draft.
Replace any seals
Attempt replacing the seals around your windows to help keep your heat in and the cold air out. If replacing seals is outside of your budget, a cost-effective solution is caulk. Using caulk to close cracks and openings in your window frames can be a simple way to prepare your home for fall.
Utilize plastic film
Try weatherizing your windows by placing plastic film over your windows. The film can be applied relatively easily, with many of the film kits providing everything you need to apply.
Whatever way you choose to prepare your home for the cooler weather, make sure to get a jump on it before the snow starts blowing your way!
