Certain homes, specifically older ones, can be prone to drafts which can affect the comfort of your everyday life. During the summer months a draft can cause the warm air outside to affect the indoor temperature, turning the air stale and even warmer. Furthermore, when you want your home warm and cozy during the winter months, a draft can cause hot to escape outside, leaving you chilly and uncomfortable. Neither scenario is enjoyable for anyone, and in addition to the frustration a drafty window or door brings, it can also bring higher utility bills. Why’s that? Since you are likely using more air conditioning or heating to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, the energy loss can be substantial.
Luckily, with a few simple steps, it’s easy to eliminate these irritating drafts, while reducing your energy bills by up to 10 percent! By keeping in mind a few key tips, it only takes minimal effort to maintain a well-insulated home:
Check Your Doors
Simply move your hands around the edges of your doors to verify whether there is a breeze coming through. Carefully walking around the house with a lit candle can answer whether or not there is a draft nearby; the flame will flicker or may even go out immediately if exposed to any breeze nearby. Make sure there are no other sources of air movement in the room that may also influence the flame when performing this check (such as fans, furnace vents, etc.).
You may also want to consider having an employee of Kempenfelt Windows to come out for a free inspection.
Check Your Windows
Checking your windows for a draft is a quick and easy task. Just like your doors, the best method of determining whether you have a leak or not is by running your hands along the edges. Any sign of breeze generally means there is a draft of some sort. If you have taken these steps on your own, but still can’t determine whether or not you’ve in fact discovered an air leak, feel free to contact Kemepenfelt Windows and Doors for a free inspection. We’ll assess the condition of your windows and doors, and provide you with professional advice.
Fixing a Draft
Window drafts can be managed a couple of different ways; you may wish to install heavy curtains around the window area to block the draft, keeping it at bay, or you may want to consider applying weather stripping and caulking to the affected area, preventing unwanted draft (however this only works for the areas around the window frame). Windows that are older are a different story; while replacing them involves additional costs, the money that you’ll save in energy savings down the road will make up for that cost. When it comes to your doors, you can use a door sweep to keep drafts out of your house, which is placed on the bottom of the door. Depending on the severity of the draft, it might be wise to have your windows or doors replaced as a final solution. To receive the best value for your money, you may wish to consider investing in new quality windows/doors you can depend on for years to come. In doing so, you’ll save the headaches and costs involved with leaks and potential repairs.
Seek Help from Barrie’s Window and Door Professionals
If you’d like additional information when it comes to drafty windows and doors, Kempenfelt Windows and Doors is here to assist you with any concerns. We’ll provide you with a free consultation, and a list of our comprehensive windows and doors services. Don’t put up with drafty temperatures any longer. Contact us at 705-737-1554
