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Winter is here, along with it is an increase in your heating expenses. Are you looking for ways to keep your home warm this winter without spending a fortune? Take the time to check your home’s windows and doors – a good place to start is your home’s main entry points.

Find Drafts in Your Home

Drafts are a killer on your home’s energy bill. If your home has drafty windows and doors then you’ll see a substantial increase in your energy bill every month. As cool air sneaks into your home, your furnace will be working twice as hard to keep your house warm, which can significantly reduce the life of your furnace.

How can you determine if your home has drafts? Take a candle and place it near a window or door. If you see the flame dancing or flickering, it’s likely a draft is getting through the window or door. If this occurs, you’ll need to do some extra work to prepare your windows and doors for the winter.

Block Drafts

Your local hardware store will have draft snakes to place at the bottom of your windows and doors. Draft snakes are effective in preventing warm air from escaping and cold air from entering your home.

If you’re on a budget, try this do-it-yourself option instead: Roll up several old towels and tie elastics at each end to keep them in their tube form. This is an inexpensive but temporary way to stop drafts. The best way to keep your house warmer and save on your energy bill in the long-term is to replace your drafty and leaking windows and doors with new ones.

Check Your Caulking

Caulking helps maintain a tight seal around your windows and doors. Using caulk is a huge defence against cold air entering your home and warm air escaping. Unfortunately, over time even the best caulking eventually develops cracks and gaps.

Luckily, it’s easy to seal up cracked caulk or gaps around your window’s seal. Depending on the severity of the problem you might need to remove the old caulking and replace it with a new

one. However, if the caulking is in adequate condition with minimal damage, you can simply patch up any problem spots.

Plastic Film is an Affordable Fix

Many homeowners place plastic films over their windows. During the winter months, this protects against the cold and helps to maintain warmer indoor temperatures.

Clear plastic film is a more affordable option since it can be found at most local hardware stores. It’s held in place using double-sided tape and doesn’t block your outdoor view (although you won’t be able to open your windows).

However, plastic film should be used with caution. Natural Resources Canada points out that some people are sensitive to the plastic used in heat-shrink film. To prevent damage plastic film may not be the best option for households with small children or pets. For safety reasons, it should be kept away from strong heat sources.

Take The Screens Off

It’s also a good idea to remove your screens at the beginning of the winter months. This ensures your screens are protected from harsh winter weather and make them last longer. Furthermore, having them on hand will make them easier to clean when spring arrives. Make sure you store your screens in a warm and dry space until winter ends.

Keep Warm, Winterize Your Home

Protect your windows and doors this winter. You’ll find it easier to keep your home warm and cozy with these simple tips – which you’ll appreciate when you need a break from the cold.