The Best Drafty Home Solutions

Is your home drafty? There is a good chance that you have a number of energy and air leaks that are not only causing your home to feel drafty – they are also causing your utility bills to rise and your carbon footprint to expand. Luckily, finding these air and energy leaks is easy. With a keen eye and a little creativity, you can cover and seal these drafts so that your home retains more energy and remains more comfortable. Here are some of the best drafty home solutions.

1. Get an energy audit. One of the best ways to reduce drafts in your home is to get a top to bottom energy audit. A specialized technician will analyze almost every aspect of your home – from the basement foundation to your attic. The energy auditor will also make notes when he or she finds a major leak or draft. As a homeowner, it is up to you to take that information and seal all the leaks.
2. Reseal your windows. An energy auditor may find an issue with drafty windows. If this is the case, you want to take measures to properly re-seal the windows. In fact, one of the most common areas for drafts is in the windows and re-sealing is much easier than you think. All you need to do is purchase a caulking gun and place a small layer of sealant between the casement and along the panes. The goal is to seal any areas where drafts may be occurring. In some cases, you may not need an energy auditor to help you discover these energy leaks – you can find them by waving your bare hand over your windows.
3. Close or repair the flue on your fireplace. Another common area where drafts occur is in the fireplace. If you feel a draft coming from the fireplace, it could be that the flue is wide open. Typically, you only want to open the flue when you have a fire going – that way you can provide oxygen to the fire and send exhaust out of your home. If the flue is broken, you want to hire a fireplace technician to fix it.
4. Repair your roof. Another source of draftiness is in the attic – most of the time this is because you have small rips and tears in your roof. If this is the case, you may want to think about redoing your roof. If you want to make your roof extra efficient, you may want to think about installing metal panels. There are many benefits of metal roofing – one of the biggest is that you will never have to worry about drafts in your roof again.
5. Re-insulate your attic. While you are working on your roof, you may also want to think about re-insulating. Adding a few panels of insulation can make your home drastically more efficient and it can make your home less drafty. In the end, you may want to add extra insulation wherever your home needs it – just to make sure.