How to Stop Cold Air Leaks in Winter

Steps:

  1. Install a door sweep along the bottom of exterior doors to block out cold air.
  2. Seal gaps between the door and side jambs with long pieces of weather stripping.
  3. Always engage the sash locks on double-hung windows to close the gap along the meeting rail. Consider installing two sash locks on wide windows.
  4. Stick a continuous length of adhesive-backed foam weather stripping to the top edge of the upper sash on double-hung windows. The soft foam will compress to fill air-leaking gaps.
  5. Use foam-rubber backer rod to fill large gaps where the lower sash meets the sill. Force the backer rod into the space between the sash and stool.
  6. For windows that you won’t open until spring, seal them shut with temporary caulking, which you can press into place, and easily peel off when winter is over.
  7. To block cold air from blowing in around an electrical outlet, remove the cover plate and press a soft-rubber gasket over the outlet. Replace the cover plate.
  8. Use minimal-expanding foam to fill the gaps around all wall penetrations, including holes for cables, vents and pipes.

To view the video, visit This Old House, where they show a step by step on how to save money and stay warm by plugging up holes and cracks.