Written on: March 16, 2018
Why and How to Weatherize Your Home – Part 2 of 2
In our last post, we discussed why weatherizing is one of the best bang-for-the-buck energy efficiency investments you can make for your Connecticut or Northern Westchester home.
In Part 2, we’ll get down to some specifics about the kind of measures you’ll want to make to keep your bills low and your home as comfortable as possible all year long.
Weatherization Checklist
Use this list as a starting point for the many places to check for air leaks around your home. For a good resource on more weatherization basics and principles, check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver website.
Exterior
- Repair or replace all loose panes and broken glass
- Caulk around windows and doors frames
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors
- Add weather stripping around exterior doors
- Seal all windows with caulk
Attic
- Install weather stripping around attic door edges
- Seal around your chimney with a high temp sealant and metal flashing
- Caulk around plumbing pipes that pass through that attic floor and ceiling
- Make sure the space between the attic and living spaces are properly insulated
Basement
- Make sure the space between the attic and living spaces are properly insulated
- Seal and insulate any accessible ductwork
- Caulk around basement windows and external doors
- Seal holes and gaps around foundation walls using caulk or foam sealant
Living spaces
- Install foam gaskets behind electrical plate covers on exterior walls
- Seal cracks and gaps where floors meet exterior walls
- If you have a wood-burning fireplace, close the damper when it’s not in use
Outdoors
- Use caulk and expandable foam to seal gaps around penetrations through the home’s exterior shell, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical and water lines
- Caulk around all door and window frames
- Make sure your dryer vent cover works; if not, replace it
- Seal gaps where building materials meet, such as between brick and siding
Looking for more ways to save energy? We can help! Contact us today for expert advice on high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment – expertly installed by Westmore.
