Weather-Stripping Cuts Energy Costs
Improved Products Make Installation Easier Than Ever
Weather-stripping is a job you can easily perform around your home with
the right tools and some instruction. The new materials used in
weather-stripping are inexpensive and easy to install, unlike the old metal
weather-stripping that required the hiring of a skilled carpenter.
Weather-stripping eliminates drafts immediately, so you will notice the
comfort level of your house increase right away. Also, you will receive a
payback in "energy dollars saved" within the first season, which is certainly
not true for all energy saving projects.
Weather-stripping comes in all shapes and styles. Its purpose is to keep
air where it's supposed to be: warm air inside your home and cold air
outside. Doorjambs and electrical outlets can be significant sources of
drafts in your home and are a good place to begin your weather-stripping.
Doors
To install weather-stripping on doors:
- Install one kind of weather-stripping on the top and the sides of the
jamb
- Install a more durable kind on the bottom.
- An easy and effective type of weather-stripping for the top and sides
of a door, use self-adhering, V-shaped vinyl strips.
- The first step is to clean and dry the surface of the doorjamb before
you apply the adhesive strips.
- If debris remains on the doorframe, the adhesive will not stick.
- Cut the vinyl strips to the appropriate length of each side and the top
of the door. You can do this with regular tool room scissors.
- Then peel off the backing as you press it into place around the
doorframe.
- Press the strips in place with a small block of wood or similar hard
object.
- Add a door sweep at the bottom because it will stop drafts along the
bottom of a door.
- Use a hacksaw to cut an aluminum sweep to equal to the door width.
- With the door closed, place the sweep so that it just rests against the
doorsill.
- Mark and drill holes for the mounting screws, then screw the sweep in
place.
- If the sweep rubs the ground, your door may not be level, or a door mat
may be interfering with the movement of the sweep.
- If so, buy a sweep that has a spring mechanism. The mechanism
automatically lowers the sweep once the door is about to close and raises
it as the door is opened.
Electrical Switchplates
Cavities between wall studs are excellent channels to move warm air from
your home to your cold attic. You can prevent this by sealing off the source
of warm air-often an electric outlet or light switch. Simply remove the
switchplate and install precut foam insulation pads and reinstall the
switchplate.
Easy, right? Don’t send any more of your hard-earned money up the
chimney on heating bills this winter. Weather strip!
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