How to Fix a Drafty Home and Lower Your Energy Bills

Stop Wasting Energy and Start Saving Money

Have you ever noticed a cold breeze near windows and doors, even when they’re closed? Or maybe your energy bills are higher than expected during the winter and summer months? These are classic signs of a drafty home, where air leaks make it harder to maintain a comfortable temperature—forcing your heating and cooling system to work overtime.

The good news? Fixing drafts is easier than you think and can lead to significant savings on your energy bills. In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ Why drafts happen and how to find them
✅ Easy DIY fixes to seal air leaks
✅ When to call a professional for insulation and repairs
✅ How draft-proofing your home can lower energy costs

If you’re looking for professional help sealing drafts and improving insulation, visit localhandymangroup.com

1. How to Identify Drafts in Your Home

Before fixing drafts, you need to find out where they’re coming from. Air leaks typically occur around windows, doors, vents, and even electrical outlets. Here’s how to detect them:

✔ The Hand Test: On a windy day, place your hand near windows, doors, or vents. If you feel cold air moving, you’ve found a draft.
✔ The Candle or Incense Test: Light a candle or incense stick and hold it near potential air leak areas. If the flame or smoke moves, there’s a draft.
✔ Look for Light Gaps: Stand outside at night and shine a flashlight around doors and windows. If you see light escaping through cracks, air is getting in too.
✔ Higher Energy Bills: If your heating and cooling costs seem unusually high, undetected drafts may be the cause.

💡 Pro Tip: The most common areas for drafts are windows, doors, attic access points, chimneys, and recessed lighting fixtures.

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2. DIY Fixes for Sealing Drafts

Seal Windows & Doors with Weatherstripping

Over time, the seals around windows and doors wear down, allowing air to seep in. Adding weatherstripping is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to stop drafts.

✔ Use foam or rubber weatherstripping around window frames.
✔ Install a door sweep at the bottom of exterior doors.
✔ Apply caulk to gaps and cracks around window sills and door frames.

Use Insulated Curtains or Window Film

Thin windows are a major source of heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
✔ Install thermal blackout curtains to add insulation.
✔ Use plastic window film in winter to trap warm air inside.

Seal Electrical Outlets & Vents

Did you know that air leaks through electrical outlets? Small gaps around outlets and light switches let cold air enter from behind walls.
✔ Install foam outlet gaskets behind light switch and outlet covers.
✔ Use caulk or spray foam to seal vents and duct openings.

💡 Pro Tip: If you have a fireplace, keep the damper closed when not in use to prevent warm air from escaping.

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3. When to Call a Professional for Draft-Proofing

While weatherstripping and caulking are great for small air leaks, some homes need more advanced draft-proofing. Here’s when it’s best to call a handyman:

🚨 Your home has major insulation gaps – If your attic, basement, or walls aren’t properly insulated, your home will always feel drafty.
🚨 Your windows and doors are old and inefficient – If sealing gaps doesn’t stop the draft, you may need new energy-efficient windows or doors.
🚨 There’s air leaking through your attic or crawl space – Professional insulation can stop heat loss in these overlooked areas.
🚨 You see visible damage to caulking and seals – If existing weatherproofing is cracked, worn, or missing, a professional can replace it properly.

💡 Pro Tip: Upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors can reduce heat loss by up to 25%, lowering energy costs year-round.

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4. How Fixing Drafts Can Save You Money

Sealing drafts isn’t just about comfort—it’s a smart investment that lowers your utility bills. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that air leaks account for 25–40% of the energy used to heat and cool a home.

✔ Lower Heating & Cooling Costs: Fixing drafts can cut energy bills by up to 20% annually.
✔ Extend the Life of Your HVAC System: Your furnace and AC won’t have to work as hard, reducing wear and tear.
✔ Increase Home Comfort: No more cold spots in winter or hot rooms in summer.
✔ Boost Home Value: Energy-efficient homes are more attractive to buyers.

💡 Pro Tip: Combine draft-proofing with a smart thermostat to optimize heating and cooling efficiency.

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Final Thoughts: Stop Drafts & Start Saving

A drafty home is more than just uncomfortable—it wastes energy and costs you money. Whether it’s sealing windows, installing insulation, or upgrading doors, taking steps to eliminate air leaks can lead to immediate savings and long-term comfort.

✅ Find drafts using simple tests like the candle trick.
✅ Use weatherstripping, caulk, and insulation to seal gaps.
✅ Call a professional for major air leaks or outdated insulation.
✅ Enjoy lower energy bills and a more comfortable home year-round.

If you’re ready to fix drafts and make your home more energy-efficient, Local Handyman is here to help!

📞 Schedule your draft-proofing service today at localhandymangroup.com