Window Caulking! Inexpensive Yet Efficient Home Maintenance Task?

Many experts tout the importance of weatherproofing your home — and for good reason. Heating and cooling expenses make up a substantial portion of the average homeowner’s energy budget, and any tips to drive down these costs are always welcomed. 

You’ve probably heard a lot about weatherstripping and insulating, but there’s an even cheaper option that can save you money on your heating costs during cold Ohio winters. Window caulking is efficient and economical, and pretty much anyone can accomplish this task.

Even with proper window installation, the caulk around a window may wear out or break, allowing cold air to leak into your home. Once this air seeps into the home, your heating system kicks into overdrive. A heater that’s constantly running may cause your energy bill to skyrocket, and your home may not warm up to the temperature set on the thermostat.

A simple way to fix this problem is to apply caulk around the perimeter of a window. There are a few steps to this process:

• Perform a leak check. Before you spend any time with the caulk gun, look around your window for any leaks. You might spot some leaks immediately, but you can also test for them. To do this, light a candle and hold it up around the window’s edge. If the flame flickers, you may have a leak.
• Remove worn out caulk. If old caulk is still present, scrape it off with a putty knife. If it’s not easily removable, use a caulk softener first.
• Apply new caulk. Polyurethane caulk is your best bet for this type of project. Cut the caulk tip into a 45 degree angle. Then, apply the caulk around the window, holding the caulk gun at a 45 degree angle. Lastly, use your finger to smooth the caulk into the crack, and allow it to set for at least 12 to 15 hours.

If your heater still can’t keep up with the cold weather after window caulking, or you’re looking for a tune-up before really cold temperatures strike, contact Stack Heating & Cooling in Avon, Ohio today!

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Cleveland, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about window caulking and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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