The upcoming cold New York months bring a shiver that can chill you to your core. The last thing you want is to feel those bitter, whipping winds sneaking inside of your home. Air leaks, or when drafty windows and improperly insulated attics allow cold air to seep into your home, can result in uncomfortable temperatures in your house and costly energy bills.

Whether you’re paying to warm your house in the winter or keep it cool in the summer, sealing air leaks can save you quite a bit of money over the course of a year! Here are some best practices to help keep your home at the exact temperature that you like it, and prevent you from overpaying on your energy bill.

Consider Spray Foam

Attics are a very common area for cold air to sneak into your home, and one way to combat this is by installing spray foam insulation in areas of concern. We are seeing newly built homes opt for spray foam during the building process because of its energy efficiency, which makes it a fantastic product for sealing off air leaks.

You do not need to build a new home to benefit from spray foam, however! Older homes can retrofit their attics with this type of insulation, take advantage of the monthly savings on their energy bills, and maintain a more comfortable temperature inside of their home.

Caulk Drafty Areas

A quick, inexpensive, and easy way to solve some air leak issues is to use caulk to fill in holes and cracks in floors, walls, and ceilings.

These small holes allow the air from your temperature-controlled home to seep out or air from the outside to come in, resulting in your HVAC system having to work harder to maintain your desired temperature in your home.

Filling the holes in with caulk will stop this airflow, keeping your home comfortable! Additionally, sealing those compromised areas will also prevent excess moisture from building up in your home, making it a win-win.

Weatherstripping Doors And Windows

Weatherstripping, or sealing off openings like doors and windows from the outside elements, is another option for sealing air leaks in your home. More than likely all entry points to your home, and your windows already have these small rubber strips installed.

However, normal wear and tear, utilization of doors, and opening and closing of windows can cause them to become damaged and ineffective. Replacing the weatherstripping can seal air leaks in these areas of your home.

Stay Comfortable!

It’s no secret you pay good money to maintain your desired temperature at home. To make sure you keep climate-controlled air you paid for inside, and stop outside air from seeping in, sealing off air leaks is essential.

Spray foam insulation in the attic, caulking small cracks and holes in the structure of your home, and weatherstripping doors and windows are great options to help you in this process.

If you need assistance or have questions about sealing off air leaks in your home, our friendly professionals at Varsity Home Service are here to help - call today!