Eliminating Drafts in Your Seattle Home During the Cold Winter Months

You have probably already noticed this winter seems to be headed in the direction predicted by the weather experts—cold and wet. When you sit on your couch, you may notice a cold draft that chills you. It isn’t just chilling you. It is chilling your house and making your furnace work harder. That is going to cost you more money and possibly repair costs if the furnace is working much harder than it needs to. You can eliminate those drafts and feel warmer and ultimately save money on your heating bill. All you need to do is head on into Greenwood Hardware and pick up a few supplies.

1. Plastic sheeting that can be placed over your windows will block a lot of those drafts that come in around your window and through the glass. You can find kits that include everything you need to seal the windows. Some kits will require you to use a hairdryer to shrink the plastic to the windows. It is easily removed in the spring.
2. Door guards placed in front of your doors can stop a lot of the cold drafts that waft in through the small space below your door and above the door jam.
3. Insulation strips are an easy fix as well. The strips include self-sticking tape that makes it easy to stick inside the door jam. This will block drafts from all around the door.
4. Use caulking to take care of any areas around the windows or doors that allow drafts. Caulking around pipe fixtures under the sink can also eliminate drafts.
5. Placing throw rugs on hardwood and tile floors can help make a house feel warmer. If you have vents that are not in use, close them and put a rug over the top.
6. Hanging heavy drapes over the windows can block a lot of the drafts that come through the glass. Blankets will do if drapes are not possible.
7. Adding insulation behind outlets will stop drafts from coming in around them.
8. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to push the warm air that rises back down to the living space.

These are quick and easy tips you can do in a single afternoon, and the effects will be felt almost immediately. Blocking drafts will make you feel more comfortable – and you will appreciate the cost savings on your electric bill! Head into Greenwood Hardware today to get what you need to eliminate the drafts in your home. Come on in, or contact us online.