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Reasons to Weatherize Your Home this Summer

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As the weather warms up and flowers begin to bloom, homeowners’ thoughts turn to spring cleaning and summer prep.  While fertilizing the flowerbeds, cleaning the garage and re-staining the deck are important, now is the time to begin “summerizing” your home.

What’s “summerizing” your home all about?  Remember that cold air you fought to keep out of your home all winter? Now, we want to keep the cold air in and the summer sizzle out.  Many of the same weatherization products you use in the fall to protect your home, like weatherstripping, can work well in the summer, too.

Summer is hot enough.  Why make it even hotter?  Consider these eight reasons to weatherize your home to protect against the summer heat.

Tip 1

Hot summer heat can invade your home just like cold drafts in the winter. The most common area for air to penetrate a home is around window and door frames.  Plug up air leaks with weatherstripping around the frame and use special door bottom seals for the floor.  There are a variety of weatherstrip options, made from different materials and for an array of uses, so be sure to choose the correct weatherstripping for your project.  For example, the Duck® brand Self Adhesive Foam Weatherstrip Seal is made for larger gaps, while smaller gaps can be filled with the rubber Duck® brand Heavy Duty Weatherstrip Seal. 

Tip 2

Window air conditioning units can let in hot air and more. A poorly insulated window air conditioning unit can provide a way in for insects, dust and pollen.  There are a variety of products, including many from Duck® brand, to seal your window air conditioning unit that can be customized to the size and shape you need to stop cold air from escaping and bugs from entering your home.

Tip 3

Home energy bills can rise with the thermometer.  The hotter it gets outside, the harder your air conditioning works and the higher your electric bill soars.  Weatherizing your home will help control the amount of cold air flowing out of and hot air entering your home.

Tip 4

Year-round energy savings are a plus. Insulation is by far your best barrier to cold and hot air, providing savings throughout the seasons. Consider insulating your attic, walls and basement this summer.

Tip 5

Gaps, cracks and holes in walls can allow outside air and bugs inside your home. While some holes are there on purpose, such as a dryer vent, rotten wood or insects can cause other, damaging holes.  Use caulks and sealants to fill gaps and cracks around windows, doors and insect holes.  Replace rotten wood and caulk and paint as needed.

Tip 6

Warm air can sneak in through hidden places. Ideally, the wall cavity is filled with insulation to stop air leaks between the exterior cladding and walls of your home.  Regardless if your home does or does not have insulation in the walls, hot summer air often enters the home around faceplates and wall sockets.  Use Duck® brand Socket Sealers® to help reduce the amount of air entering in and leaking out of the home year-round. 

Tip 7

Cold air can seep out of the chimney. Many homeowners enjoy their fireplaces throughout the cold winter days, but forget to close the flue when warm summer air returns.  Don’t forget to close the flue.

Tip 8

It’s nice to get paid for DIY projects, like “summerizing.” This year, the U.S. Federal Government is giving up to $1,500 in tax credits to homeowners who install certified home energy efficiency products.  There are many Duck® brand products that qualify.  Learn more.

Getting ahead for fall

If you’re still not sure about summerizing your home, think of it as getting ahead for fall. No one wants to think about snow, ice and freezing temperatures now, but winter will be back before we know it.  By weatherizing your home to protect against the summer’s heat, you are getting a jump-start on protecting your home from winter weather as well.

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