It’s that time of year when temperatures dip and energy bills rise—and that means there's no better time to show your home some love with projects that boost energy efficiency.
From sealing drafts to upgrading insulation, we’ve rounded up 13 mini-DIY projects to help you seal the deal on energy efficiency. The best part? Not only will these quick fixes save you money, but they’ll also make your home a whole lot cozier.
1. Seal Drafty Doors with Weatherstripping Drafts around doors are a major source of energy loss. Weatherstripping is an easy and affordable way to put a stop to these drafts for good. Our adhesive-backed foam or rubber weatherstripping can be cut to size and applied to the edges of doors to stop cold air from creeping in. For even more draft-stopping protection, install a door sweep to block drafts from the bottom of the door.
2. Caulk Windows and Cracks Over time, gaps can form around windows that let heat escape. When this happens grab a tube of caulk and get to work. Choose a silicone-based caulk for exterior use and an acrylic-latex option for interior projects and take your time to ensure an even application for a neat finish. Have big gaps you need to fill? Pack large openings with our Caulk Saver, then top with a layer of caulk to seal gaps tightly
3. Add Insulation to Your Attic You learned it way back in elementary school: hot air rises and cold air sinks. When it comes to keeping your home warm, this means that if your attic is poorly insulated the heat, you're paying for is literally escaping through the roof. Put a stop to lost heat by rolling out fiberglass batts or adding loose-fill insulation in any under-insulated areas.
4. Install Outlet and Switch Insulators Electrical outlets and switches on exterior walls can be a sneaky way for cold air to creep into your home. Our foam outlet sealers are an inexpensive fix that makes a big difference in your home’s comfort. Just remove the cover plate, place the foam sealer over the opening, and replace the cover to block cold air from entering your home. Watch this video to see how it’s done.
5. Wrap the Water Heater Older water heaters lose heat through their tanks, but you can easily boost efficiency by wrapping your unit in an insulating blanket to improve efficiency—to install it, all you need is a pair of scissors and some tape. Want more ways to improve the efficiency of your hot water heater? Read this article.
6. Seal Ductwork According to energystar.gov, anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through your home’s duct system is lost through leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. Boost efficiency insulating ductwork with our Foil and Fiberglass Duct Wrap. For best results, make sure to wrap it tightly around the ducts with no gaps, and secure it with tape to create a tight seal.
7. DIY Window Insulation Kits If you’ve got older windows, window insulation shrink kits can be the difference between shivering through a cold snap or relaxing at home in comfort. Our kits come with clear plastic film that shrinks into place with a hairdryer: they’re an easy, temporary fix that shrinks crystal clear without blocking natural light.
8. Install Pipe Insulation Uninsulated pipes can lose heat quickly, especially in cold spaces like basements or garages. Our tubular foam pipe insulation is inexpensive, easy to cut, and slips right over hot water pipes to keep heat where it belongs.
9. Upgrade Door Thresholds If you can see daylight under exterior doors, it’s time for a new threshold that will close the gap and improve your home’s energy efficiency.
10. Slip a Draft Stopper Under the Door If you can feel a chill at the bottom of doors, slip a draft stopper onto the base of the door. Our Double Draft Stop is an easy (and affordable!) solution that creates an instant barrier against cold air.
11. Insulate the Garage Door If your home has an attached garage, it can be a major source of heat loss. Tighten up the space and make it less drafty by adding (or replacing an existing) garage door bottom to seal gaps at the bottom of the door and keep cold outside air out.
12. Air Seal Recessed Lights Those recessed lights that illuminate your space can leak a surprising amount of air—especially if they’re not designed to be airtight. Use caulk or foam sealant to close gaps around the light fixture.
13. Seal the Chimney Flue If your home has a fireplace, make sure you always close the damper when it’s not being used. To really boost chimney energy savings, use a chimney balloon, an inflatable device that expands against chimney walls to blocks drafts and can be easily removed when you want to light a fire.
Whether you tackle one project or all thirteen, every small improvement you make can add up to big savings over time. So, grab your tools and start sealing the deal on energy efficiency. Your home—and your wallet—will thank you
