Weather-stripping is among some of the most effective ways to lower APC electric bills. With the cold weather coming up, now is the best time to evaluate the energy efficiency of your home and make the necessary upgrades. If you have already tried the typical tricks such as replacing your furnace filter, adjusting your thermostat, taking shorter showers, and showering instead of taking a bath, it may be the right time to try weather stripping.
If you are not familiar with this term then you will find a detailed description in this article. Weather-stripping is the process of sealing up the windows and doors in your home to prevent air from leaking. This improves the energy efficiency of your home and lowers cooling and heating costs.
Ways to use weather stripping to lower your electricity bills
From windows to doors to attic hatches, there are a lot of ways you can use weather stripping at your home. Each area in your home that is weather-stripped will have a different process. However, there are a few basic rules you need to follow before getting started.
You will want to know where the air is entering or escaping your house. To do this, select an exterior window or door and put your hand near the frame. There is leakage if you feel the air blowing. This means that you need to weather strip that area. If you are not sure of whether you are feeling air, get a candle and light it and hold it near the window or door frame and observe if it flickers. If it flickers then you should weather-strip to lower your electric bill.
When you are ready to start your weather stripping project, clean the area you want to weather-strip with water and soap and let it dry. Weather-stripping does not stick well to dusty and dirty surfaces and it is likely to get loose over time.
Exterior doors
If you are new to weather stripping, the best place to begin is with the exterior doors of your home. Sealing up the space between the bottom and the floor of your door effectively will keep rain and wind out and ensure that your home remains comfortable. Rubber, vinyl, and metal are among the best types of weather stripping. A lot of retailers sell gaskets or door sweeps, which screw tightly into the bottom of your doors and create an effective barrier to keep the elements outside.
It is important to avoid using flimsier materials in this area because they can wear down with repeated closings and openings. You may also want to prevent air from getting out from the sides and top of your door frame. You can screw or nail metal weather stripping along the edges of the frame.
Windows
It effectively lower APS electric bill, you need to weather strip your windows as well. Just like exterior doors, your windows are an ideal place to weather strip your home. Depending on the material and style, there are several ways to weather strip your windows.
