Trap in the Good Air, Keep Out the Bad with Weather Stripping

In the winter, have you ever ran the heater and it couldn’t stay warm? What about in the summer, when you ran the air conditioner, but it was not keeping cool? That air inside your home may leak outside, and luckily there is something that can stop it. With weather stripping around your windows or doors, you will notice a difference in your home, and in your energy bill.

Air leaks in your home can account for over 30 percent of your home’s heating and cooling loss, and the Environmental Protection Agency reports that between $200 and $400 could go to waste because of drafts, air leaks, and outdated heating and cooling systems. 

With weather stripping, you can seal the contact area between the fixed and movable sections of a window or door. The narrow piece of weatherstripping will prevent the air from infiltrating through those gaps around your windows or doors when they are closed. Applying to all doors and windows, including those that lead to an attic or a garage, can eliminate leaks and drafts into your home.

Stripping materials may include metal, vinyl, rubber, felt or foam. Any amount of stripping can be better than no weather stripping at all, but each material has its pros and cons. The less expensive materials, like foam or felt, are not the most durable, whereas the more expensive materials, like vinyl, are slightly more cost effective and durable.

If your home can’t hold a comfortable and consistent temperature, it may not be your heating and cooling system’s fault. Check your windows and doors each season to be certain that you won’t lose any air from your home when you need it most. For more information on weather stripping and all of your heating and cooling needs, call Sunrise Heating & Plumbing at (616) 293-9326.