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A draft you can feel is a draft that’s costing you on heating, whether that’s a property you live in full-time or a cottage you’re keeping warm through the winter.
The simplest test is also the most reliable: on a windy day, run your hand slowly around the frame of each window and door. Where you feel air movement is where heat is escaping. Weatherstripping around doors is inexpensive and straightforward to replace once it’s worn, cracked, or compressed, and it’s worth checking every fall rather than waiting until it visibly fails.
Windows are usually the bigger job. Caulking around the exterior frame can crack or pull away over time, and older windows may benefit from a plastic film kit for the season if a full replacement isn’t in the budget yet. Don’t forget less obvious spots: where pipes or wiring pass through exterior walls, attic hatches, and the gap around a mail slot or dryer vent all let air through if they’re not sealed.
A well-sealed building doesn’t just save on heating costs. It also reduces the chance of condensation and ice building up around window frames, which over a few winters can lead to more serious moisture damage.
If you’re not sure where the worst drafts are, some local energy providers and contractors offer a home energy audit, sometimes at low or no cost, that uses a blower door test to find exactly where a building is losing heat.
Have more questions about buying or selling in the area? Visit my FAQ page for answers to what clients ask most.
