Tips to weather proof your home

The best and simplest way to save money on your energy bill, is to take every measure possible to ensure your heat stays where it belongs: inside your home.

For your windows:

One of the top places heat escapes from your home, is through your windows, especially if they’re old. Before winter, run to the hardware store to buy caulk and a caulking gun. Some things to keep in mind about caulking:

• Opt for silicone caulk over acrylic. Silicone is waterproof, flexible and crack-proof, while acrylic has the tendency to shrink and crack over time making it susceptible to mold and mildew buildup.
• Make sure to remove the old caulk before applying the new.
• Caulk on a dry day. Exposing the caulk to moisture 24 hours or less after it’s been applied will compromise the integrity of the product.

You may also want to consider storm windows, which can be applied over your current windows, providing an extra layer between your family and the cold.

For your doors:

Your doors could have tiny leaks around the frame that are barely visible, but could also be letting in more cool air than you think. A good way to detect whether your door has any leaks is to hover a candle around the door frames and if the candle flickers you’ll know you have a leak in that area and you can repair it accordingly

To prevent heat from escaping underneath your doors, consider purchasing or DIY-ing a draft stopper.

For your thermostat:

Consider replacing your thermostat with a programmable model. Automating your heating will save you big bucks as the weather cools down outside and you begin to crank up the heat more inside. Set your thermostat to only run when you know you will be home and consider keeping your home at a cooler temperature over night.

For your basement:

Insulating your basement is no doubt a costly project, but you’ll be reaping the rewards of your labor for years to come and you’ll be glad you did. If you happen to be handy and are thinking of insulating yourself, make sure you’re doing it correctly as improper application can result in excess moisture, which can lead to mould, which can lead to the development of radon.

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