Are air leaks causing gaps in your bank account? If you don’t have weatherstripping in your home to reduce the amount of air leaks, you could very well be throwing money out of those gaps. Air leaks are quite common in older homes, but they can still crop up in newer homes too. We’ll give you an idea of how to weatherstrip your home and keep the warm air inside your home and the green cash inside your wallet.

There are different types of weatherstripping, but it comes down to “you get what you pay for.” Cheaper felt strips will not be as effective as more expensive rubber seals. The cheaper methods also tend to degrade faster. For example, if you seal the underside of a door with felt and the door opens over carpet, the felt can easily be sheared off. Having a rubber seal at the threshold will stay in place and provide a much better seal.

Doors and windows are the primary places to weatherstrip as air gets around them easily because of gaps between the door or window and their respective frame.The key to effective weatherstripping is not only sealing all sides, but making sure the seal you use compresses when the door or window is shut. This compression squeezes the seal so that it fills all areas of the gap. Once properly sealed, you will find that your home is more comfortable year-round and your energy costs associated with climate control will decrease.