3 Quick Solutions That Will Save Your Windows from Air Leaks

Quiz time: did you know that the average family wastes about one quarter to a third of its annual budget spent on heating and cooling due to air leaks? Apply the math to your spending and you’ll see how quickly it adds up.

And with winter quickly settling in, there’s no better time than now to go through your home with a fine-tooth comb. Air leaks are a common issue found in every home, and one of the main culprits can be your windows. Below, we’ve gathered a few helpful tricks to assist you in keeping a happy and warm home through these chilly months. Of course, these are temporary fixes to issues that demand a more permanent window solution in the future.

Nail polish isn’t just for decoration.

Did you know that when applied to the seal between a window and the window pane, once hardened, the polish can help seal off a pesky air leak? It’s true! Next time you’re in a bind, try it out and you’ll be surprised. You’ll be counting your blessings and your money saved.

Attic access doors are another common enemy.

For those of you who have an attic space, take note—it’s been estimated that a 1/8 to 1/4 inch gap around an attic door can release as much air as a duct for a small bedroom. That’s the equivalent of heating a spare room in your home that no one ever uses! To prevent this, you can apply weather stripping around the door or buy the pre-insulated type. If you don’t use that space often, you can always seal it with our next tip.

Shrink wrap it.

Yes, the same stuff you wrapped your Thanksgiving leftovers in can also help keep your home warm this winter. Coupled with some two-sided tape and a hair dryer, shrink wrap can effectively seal an air leak in your window until a more permanent solution can be reached. The heat from the dryer will shrink the wrap around the edges of the leak and can be easily removed by applying rubbing alcohol.