Weatherizing and Air Sealing Doors and Windows - Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Making sure there are minimal openings for warm indoor air to escape and chilly outdoor air to enter can significantly reduce the amount of heating needed in your home. Air-sealing an older or drafty house could cut your heating and cooling needs by as much as 40%. This will not only boost your comfort but also make your home more energy efficient. Air-sealing prepares your home for various weather conditions, makes it more comfortable and enhances its energy efficiency.

Video

Tips On How To Air Seal Your Home

Efficiency Vermont | 3 min. 18 sec.

Vermont and Massachusetts have a similar Northeast climate. See a demonstration of how to air seal your home’s windows, doors, and electrical outlets.

Do-it-yourself fixes

Doors and windows are common sources of air leaks in a home. Simple actions like sealing gaps around windows and replacing worn rubber seals around door frames can make a big difference in keeping your home airtight.

Windows: Use caulking, weatherstripping, or a combination of both to fill gaps where air is leaking into your home. Learn how to put weatherstripping on your windows.
Doors: If you feel cold air leaking in through your doors during winter, add weatherstripping along the top, sides, and bottom. It’s vital to seal any gaps that might bring in outdoor air and make your home cold and drafty. Weatherstripping will plug these gaps and minimize air flow from outside. Remember to inspect less frequently used doors, like those leading to unfinished areas, as they might lack proper insulation and let unheated air in.

Long-term fixes a professional may recommend

When you arrange a free Home Energy Assessment with Mass Save®, their experts will assess your windows and doors, propose further upgrades, and even coordinate services with weatherization specialists if required.

Homeowners can also hire a professional known as a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater. They use tools like blower doors and infrared cameras for a more comprehensive energy assessment, uncovering more opportunities for energy savings. This in-depth assessment usually costs between $500 and $1000 and goes beyond a standard home energy assessment. A HERS rater might also provide guidance on weatherization contractors for additional recommended work.

Upgrading windows

If you have single-pane or older double-pane windows, replacing them or adding storm windows can significantly reduce heat loss. Interior or exterior storm windows, double-pane windows, and triple-pane windows are all great options when upgrading windows.

By switching from single-pane windows to triple-pane windows that are ENERGY STAR® certified for Climate Zone 5, you can receive a rebate of $75 per window through Mass Save®. You can also finance up to $25,000 of the cost with Mass Save’s 0% HEAT Loan. When selecting replacement windows, ensure they have a low-emissivity (low-E) coating on the innermost pane instead of the outermost one. Coating the innermost pane is more effective and saves more money in our cold climate, as it curbs heat loss. Coating the outermost pane primarily reduces heat gained from outside during the summer.