Doggone effective
There are many products on the market to stop drafts sneaking into your house
Certain things in life are better when they're breezy. A cute sundress, for example, or a cheerful “hello.” Cold air from a door? Not so much.
No surprise, then, that this is the season for air-sealing. Not only will finding those air-leakage points keep your home cosy, it'll also save you money. Aside from doors, other common culprits include the small gaps around windows, baseboards and wall sockets.
“Air leakage represents 25 to 40 per cent of the heat lost from an older home,” says the 2007 Natural Resources Canada guide Air-leakage Control. “This costs you hundreds of dollars per year whether you heat with natural gas, oil or electricity.”
First, you need to find those pesky air leaks. The Government of Canada website suggests holding burning incense sticks up to the suspected area. Strong leaks will make the smoke dissipate and the tips of the incense will glow. Slower leaks will cause the smoke to trail away or move toward the leak.
While projects like replacing windows and DIY caulking are effective against air leakages, there are other relatively easy fixes. Here are a few that lifestyle and interior design website Apartment Therapy deems the best:
1. Suptikes Door Draft Stopper ($34.67 at Amazon.ca)
This easy-to-use adhesive silicone stopper has 4.5 stars based on 7,806 ratings at Amazon.ca, and comes in a two-pack. Measuring 37 inches (94 centimetres) long, it can fit air gaps up to one inch (2.5 millimetres) and works with exterior and interior doors, garage doors, and shower doors — as well as furnishings like beds, sofas and cabinets, among other places.
2. Duck Brand Indoor 5-Window Shrink Film Insulator Kit ($19.72 at Amazon.ca)
Boasting an Amazon's Choice endorsement, this kit is a great option if you don't mind keeping your windows shut for the season. Once you secure the see-through film around the edges of your window frame, you use a blow dryer to heat-shrink it to the frame, creating a tight seal. The kits also come in a package that will seal three windows, and a package designed for a patio door or large window.
3. BRIVIC Indoor Air Conditioner Cover ($66.32 at Amazon.ca)
Window-mounted air-conditioners are a godsend in the summer, but if they have to stay put during the colder months they can be a sneaky source of air leaks. Wrap it up with this adjustable cover, which slips over the unit and is kept in place with tension cords. “Fit perfectly and reduced airflow greatly,” wrote one reviewer. “Well made and easy to install.” The covers are available in various sizes and colours.
4. Evelots Dog Draft Stopper ($58.30 at Amazon.ca)
This cute-as-a-button draft-stopper is a classic weighted option that's simple to drop into place, or remove as needed. At 37 inches (94 cm) long, it will work at the bottom of most doors. It also comes in a cat version. As one reviewer succinctly put it: “Good quality. Does its job. Wife thinks it's cute.”