Get Back to Saving: Four Low-Cost Ways to Weatherize Your Home

Home Hacks

It’s back-to-school season! While you’re stocking up on paper, markers and pencils why not grab a couple of items to improve the efficiency of your home? No need to bargain hunt – we’ve rounded up DIY home improvements that won’t break the bank. Insulate your home and your wallet with these four low cost weatherization projects.

Insulate your attic doors.

When it comes to energy loss, attic doors are the worst. Even a teensy, tiny gap (we’re talking like 1/32-inch) leaks as much energy as a five square inch opening. Filling this little gap can make a big difference on your energy bill and doesn’t cost much—weather stripping and spray-foam insulation can be purchased for under $10, and an attic door cover runs around $50. Not only is attic door insulation easy to install, it is super affordable and long-lasting. See how you can save money on your next purchase of big gap filler with instant discounts from PSO.

Seal your outlets and switches.

Want to hear an interesting fact? Up to 5% of air infiltration comes from outlets on outside walls. Okay, knowing this may not win you points at Trivia Night, but it can save you money. Sealing switches and outlets on exterior walls with foam electrical outlet insulation prevents unwanted drafts and heat loss, and is a super easy DIY fix. Simply remove your switch or outlet cover and add the foam pad before reinstalling the cover. At around 10 cents per unit, this is a weatherization project that can fit into your back-to-school budget.

Don’t forget door sweeps.

Leaving a 1/8-inch gap on your front and back doors lets in as much air as leaving a small window open halfway. Attaching doors sweeps on all exterior doors is a low-cost way to improve the efficiency of your home and only it takes a few minutes. Test your door by closing it on a sheet of paper to see if it comes out easily without tearing. If it does, you need a door sweep, which range from $10 to $60 depending on the type. Even better? PSO offers instant discounts on select door sweeps and door seals at participating retailers.

Close your flue.

So your fireplace may not be top of mind in triple-digit heat. But if you have a wood-burning fireplace, you may be getting burned by air lost up the chimney. Keep your flue cover closed whenever you aren’t using it, which should be 97.5% of the time—and 100% of the time during the summer. It doesn’t get any more simple and low-cost than this —just close the flue for a grand total of $0.00.

What’s cheaper than free? Answer: nothing! If you’re a homeowner or renter with a household income of $50,000 or less, you may qualify for free home weatherization upgrades from us. Yep, free attic insulation, air and duct sealing, the works. Learn more and see if you qualify.