How You Can Save Money On Heating Bills With DIY Sash Window Insulation Installation Tips
It's no secret that home heating costs have been steadily on the rise for some time and are expected to continue doing so for the foreseeable future. There are several options, however, that you can take today to somewhat lessen the blow of these spiraling costs. One of the least expensive yet most beneficial fixes is to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation. It's really quite easy.
Actually replacing of your sash windows is expensive and probably way too difficult for the average do-it-yourself person to handle. It's probably not the best idea anyway, unless your existing windows are totally shot and beyond repair. Older wood framed windows are almost always worth saving, if possible, rather than being replaced with new vinyl facsimiles. They may just need to be refurbished to be put back into shape.
If you were to take a look at your home with the aid of an infrared camera you would most likely be astounded by the amount of heat energy being lost during cold weather. In many cases this is money being literally thrown out the window. This is neither good for your nor the environment.
Some of the problems responsible for this waste of energy can be poorly sealed basements allowing cold and damp to enter, attics with little or no insulation, poorly fitting doors, open fireplaces and, usually the worst, leaky windows. If your house has older sash windows, chances are they are quite a bit less efficient than when they were installed and this, quite frankly, wasn't that great to begin with. This can, however, be fixed rather easily.
The first remedy that should be affected is to pull off the window trim and put some non-expanding type foam in the gap that's found between the frame and the wall. If the trim is not easily removed the best alternative is to use caulk on both the inside and outside edges of the trim. Rope caulk is a good option for renters who don't want to leave permanent changes behind when they move.
The next step should be the application of some form of weather stripping that can be affixed to the window frames by nailing. If nailing isn't advisable, as in the instance of metal or vinyl windows, self-adhesive stripping can be substituted, although this is not as long-lasting of a solution in most cases.
If the window panes have become loose over the years they should be resealed. All these steps should actually help your house become quieter and less dusty and, bottom line, you should definitely save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation properly put in place.
If you need to reduce your energy costs, sash window draught proofing is a great way to start. When you arrange for sash window refurbishment, you stop outside air from entering and temperature controlled air from leaving your home.
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Tags: builders, Carpentry, construction, decorators, diy, draught proofing, Environment, home, Home Improvement, house, Insulation, joinery, property, wooden windowsFebruary 04 2012 | Carpentry | No Comments »