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How to properly insulate your home this fall and winter, according to experts
You don’t have to be a home improvement expert or spend a ton of money to prevent cold temps from creeping in.
Another effective and easy way of insulating your home via weather stripping is by using a peelable and removable sealant (called weather stripping), which usually comes in a roll, similar to packing tape or a material similar in texture to caulk. Manfredini recommends applying weather stripping around windows and doors, as well as caulking the base trim to the floor with clear caulking to reduce drafts. You can apply this sealing tape around the edges of your window frame to prevent drafts from getting through. Similar to tape, you can use scissors to get it to the preferred length. Aside from windows, this seal is ideal for preventing drafts around window air conditioners, vents and door frames, according to the brand.
While this may resemble a form of crown molding, it functions similar to a caulk or a piece of weather stripping tape. It’s a polyurethane material that comes in the form of a roll and has a wedge shape that allows it to fit securely between cracks. It has an adhesive strip in the back to attach it to a surface, like your window or door frame. You can also adjust the length and shape of the adhesive strip to help it fit more securely, such as around corners or edges.
This caulk, which comes recommended by Manfredini, functions in the same way as regular caulking that you might use to seal the edges around fixtures in your bathroom, such as a toilet or bathtub, except it is clear, removable and meant for window frames and vents. You apply it around the cracks on a window frame and allow it to dry for about 10 minutes. If and when you have to remove it, you can simply strip it away. Aside from drafts, it also helps block water and it’s suitable to use for both indoors and outdoors.
Before deciding on a product to help with home insulation, follow these steps to help you make the right decision.
Depending on whether you’re renting or owning your home, you may only be allowed to use certain types of products or complete certain renovations.
For homeowners, the most important and effective place to start is the attic, according to Manfredini. “Like wearing a hat outdoors in the winter, the heat in your home rises,” he says. If your home doesn’t have adequate insulation, “the heat you paid for is just leaving through the roof.” If you have a home with an attic, the most important thing to do is make sure it has a sufficient amount of fiberglass installed, which may be best done by a professional.
If you don’t have an attic or aren’t a homeowner, Manfredini recommends trying a few easier-to-install (and remove) products such as window sealants or caulking, which I mentioned above.
While many of the products above can make a huge difference in the overall warmth of your home, for a long-term and reliable solution, Raysby also recommends talking to a professional to look over your heating and cooling system. This includes your furnace, boiler, air conditioner and the fiberglass installed in your attic.
“The most common reason for uneven heating in most homes is a combination of poorly designed ducting and lack of insulation,” says Raysby. “This combined with oversized heating equipment creates the perfect storm.” This often leads to what’s known as “short cycling,” or when your heating system starts and stops too frequently, leading to cold and hot spots in your home, according to Raysby. This along with dirty air filters and the lack of regular maintenance can lead to an unevenly heated home. Aside from trying some of the items above, Raysby recommends having a professional come to take a look at your system.
The best way to prevent your pipes from freezing once temperatures get below 20 degrees with a windchill is to run the tap water throughout your home, according to Manfredini. This is especially important if the faucet is connected to exposed or outside pipes. “Any fixture that is on an outside wall should be allowed to drip water from both the hot and cold taps,” he says. “This will prevent the water from freezing in the pipes.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Any inclusion of products from Ace Hardware was made independently of Manfredini.
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about deal and sale events, including ones at home improvement brands like Home Depot and Lowe’s. I also write about home appliances, cleaning and organizing. I interviewed two home appliance experts for their guidance for this story.
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