When winter winds whistle through window seams, you might as well toss cash out with the cold air. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat loss through hidden gaps can inflate utility bills by 20 percent. Fortunately, a weekend spent sealing drafts and boosting insulation can yield payback in under a year—and requires nothing more exotic than a caulk gun and courage.
Wait for a blustery night, then walk each room with an incense stick or thermal leak detector. Smoke that drifts sideways flags infiltration zones: baseboards, electrical outlets, attic hatches. Photograph each location so you can buy proper sealants in one store run.
If your attic floor sports less than R‑30 insulation (about ten inches of fiberglass), top it up with unfaced batts. Wear an N95 mask, lay boards across joists for stable footing, and unroll batts perpendicular to existing layers. A 500‑square‑foot attic averages $450 in materials and chops $150 off annual heating costs.
Track energy usage via your utility’s online dashboard; many display weather‑normalized comparisons. Homeowners report 15‑ to 25‑percent reductions in kilowatt‑hours within the first billing cycle—a feel‑good metric that also boosts resale appeal among efficiency‑minded buyers.
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