By Lis King

No matter how baffling the energy situation is, homeowners are definitely seeing its results in skyrocketing energy bills.

It makes Maryland homeowners like Pat and Richard Wilhelm scramble to button up their 75-year-old house against both blustery winters and humidity-laden summers.

Door sweeps are relatively easy to install and keep the cold air off the floor. Photo courtesy of M-D Building Products.

Candles and a Blow-Dryer
"We bought this house last year and though we've done a lot of remodeling, there are still many old windows as well as some of the vintage horsehair insulation that's so common around here," tells Pat. "So we run around with a candle and hairdryer to see where there are drafts. Not exactly high-tech, but it works. Richard moves the dryer around the outside frames of the windows and doors, and I follow with a candle on the inside. If the candle flickers or goes out, we need to weather strip or caulk.

Caulk and Weather Stripping
"That's no big deal. I do the caulking around the frames. I just buy tubes of the stuff in the same color as the trim, lay in a bead and smooth it with a finger. It's actually fun."

The weather stripping of window sashes and exterior doors is Richard's domain.

"There's a wide variety of weather stripping products out there, but I prefer thin spring metal weather strips because they're long-lasting and hardly visible when installed," he says. "They're cut to length with tin snips and tacked in place. After tacking, I lift the outer edge of the strip with a screwdriver for a better seal. I have also screwed in door sweeps to the inside bottom of our front and back doors to cover the gap by the floor, and I have insulated the attic access panel."

Energy and construction consultant R.C. Greene gives the Wilhelm family high marks for efforts, but he says they need to go further.

"Pat and Richard need to check the newer windows and doors for drafts as well," he says. "If the contractor used an oil or resin caulk, it may have pulled loose in as little as one year, depending on expansion and contraction caused by weather extremes.

Caulking around windows with hi-tech caulk like this can keep nasty drafts at bay. Photo courtesy of DAP.

"They also need to caulk around foundation walls, pipe outlets, the clothes dryer vent and any other gaps on the outside of the house," he asserts. "Air infiltration from electric switch and plug outlets can be significant, too, so it's smart to insert draft blockers. They're inexpensive and readily available at hardware stores and home centers. And don't forget to weather strip overhead doors of attached garages."

Other Recommendations for Lowering Costs
Greene has more simple and low-cost recommendations to help homeowners cut energy costs.

"In cold weather, set the thermostat at 68 degrees and leave it alone during the day," he says. "Overnight, lower setting by 5 to 10 degrees. And make sure the thermostat isn't affected by drafts that will give an incorrect reading. In hot weather, set it at 78 degrees when you're home and lower it a bit for night.

"Develop energy-saving window habits, too. In the winter, open curtains or shades of east, south and west-facing windows on sunny days to let the sun heat the house. Close them at night to preserve heat. Keep the draperies closed all day on north-facing windows. Do just the opposite in summer.

"Turn the heat way down in rooms you don't use. And turn the A/C off in those rooms or close vents in the summer. And check with your utility company to see if they offer free home inspections and energy surveys."