July 2005

Protect Your Home Against Leaks

Outside air may be lurking into your home. The culprit-your home's windows.

Windows can add 25 to 50 percent energy to your home's total usage, especially in older homes. How? Leaks in the window frames allow outside air to enter.

Cool air enters through leaks in the wintertime and warm air during the summer. This causes a higher demand for your heating and cooling unit to maintain a comfortable room temperature. The extra work on your unit requires more energy and adds to your monthly energy bill.

Plus, leaks allow moisture inside your home, potentially damaging furniture, walls and may constrain the air quality. The solution is simple. Properly seal your windows.

First, check the caulking around the window frames. Caulking is a flexible paste used to seal cracks or joints. If frames are brittle or loose, replacement is necessary.

Also inspect the weatherstripping along the moveable joints of the window frame. Weatherstripping seals the window's joints from leaks. It comes in vinyl, metal or foam. Weatherstripping should be replaced if worn, pulled away from the joints or the window does not close securely.

Here are steps to re-sealing your window for future leak protection:

Caulking

This window was not properly sealed. Outside air seeps through the crack between the window frame and the wall. Follow steps one and two using a silicon caulk.

Clean around the frame to remove dust and dirt. This helps caulk to stick. Remove old caulking around the window using a putty knife and make sure the area around the frame is dry.
Using a caulking gun, apply the caulk into the crack between the wall and the window frame. Apply caulk in one continuous line holding the gun at a 45-degree angle. Caulking should touch both sides of the seam. (See photo at right.)

Weatherstripping

Clean all dust and dirt off the window's joints. Joints should also be dry.
Measure the area to be weatherstripped.
Cut the proper size of weatherstripping.
Place weatherstripping against top and bottom of the window sash. It should be loose enough to easily open and close the window, but tight enough to prevent air from passing.

The cost for sealing windows is minimal compared to its importance. Caulk and weatherstripping can be purchased at any home improvement store.

When purchasing, consider durability and flexibility of both products, not just prices. The most expensive products are not always the best. Consider products' durability for certain weather conditions and ask a store representative for advice on recommended brands.

Leaks occur in areas other than your windows. Doors are an example. Similar steps for caulking and weatherstripping around door frames can be applied. Go to www.doityourself.com/energy for more tips on caulking and weatherstripping.

Prevent future leaks. Inspect your windows at least once a year and re-seal if necessary to guard against outside air.

Read other articles from The Walton EMC Gasette:

	Tune Up Your Gas Appliances Schedule your annual check-up for your home's natural gas appliances this summer. Beat the heating season rush and have your appliances ready to run efficiently for winter.
	Get Grilling with Natural Gas Join the "grill masters" who have made the switch from charcoal or propane grills to a natural gas grill.
	Gas News Natural gas demand expected to increase more than 40 percent by 2025.
	Gas Up the Stove This month's recipe features Summertime Zucchini Pancakes.

Recipes

Gas up the stove using recipes from Walton EMC Natural Gas customers. Our customers are encouraged to submit their favorite and unique recipes to us throughout the year. Each month, one recipe is published in The Walton EMC Gasette for other customers to enjoy. The customers who get their recipe in the newsletter also receive a $25 credit toward their next Walton EMC Natural Gas bill.

Browse recipes featured in The Walton EMC Gasette.