Draft Proofing Provides Year Round Benefits

Somewhere along the line the benefit of preventing drafts in the summer seems to have been lost. However, having a draft free home is just as important in the summer as it is for the winter.

The only difference is between the winter and the summer is that in the summer you are trying to keep the cold in, whereas in the winter you are trying to keep the cold out.

Regardless of the season, draft proofing is probably one of the easier home renovations that will provide a benefit not only to your pocket book, but also to the comfort of your home. It is calculated that a properly draft proofed home results in energy savings of about 10%. As an added bonus, once the doors and windows have been properly sealed, the ongoing maintenance is minimal.

The basics of draft proofing are simple. Take a look at the seals around windows and doors. The goal is to block, through caulking, tape or some other method, this air flow. Once you have checked all the windows and doors, be sure to check the electrical outlets. These are probably the most frequently overlooked source of drafts.

There are several products available at your local hardware store that will match almost any need or skill level.

For more information and tips on how to properly draft proof your home, check out this booklet: Keeping the Heat In from Natural Resources Canada.