In fact, the EPA estimates that air sealing and adding insulation can save homeowners an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs.
Whether you’re checking off one project this weekend or working your way through the list over the next few weeks, your Fall Prep Checklist can help you get started and stay organized.
Your Fall Prep Checklist
☐ Find air leaks
Before you can seal drafts, you need to find them. Even small air leaks around windows and doors can let warm air escape and make your home less comfortable during colder weather.
Two simple tests can help you spot problem areas:
- Hold a damp hand near windows, doors and other areas where you suspect a draft. If you feel moving air, you’ve likely found an air leak.
- Close a window or exterior door on a dollar bill. If you can easily pull it out, the seal may not be tight enough.
Weatherstripping helps create tight seals around exterior doors. However, over time, this weatherstripping can crack, flatten or peel away, allowing outside air to enter your home. Adding or replacing weatherstripping can help keep your home more comfortable before winter arrives.
Need a walk-through? Watch the video to see exactly what to look for and how to replace it.
Even small gaps around your window frames can allow outside air to find its way indoors.
Inspect the caulk around your interior window frames. If you notice cracking, shrinking or missing sections, remove the old caulk and apply a fresh bead to help create a tighter seal. Our step-by-step video covers everything you need to know.
☐ Seal behind window or door trim
Even when your windows and doors close tightly, hidden gaps between the frame and the wall can still allow warm air to escape.
This project involves carefully removing the interior trim, sealing the gap between the window or door frame and the wall, then reinstalling the trim.
What you’ll need:
- Low-expansion foam sealant for windows and doors
- Putty (for stained trim) or spackle and paint (for painted trim)
- Pry bar
- Putty knife
- Utility knife
- Hammer and nail punch or brad nail gun
- Pliers or nippers
- Rags
- Gloves
- Eye protection
- Dust mask
Basic steps:
- Remove the interior trim around one window or door.
- Carefully loosen the trim by cutting along the painted edge with a utility knife, then gently pry it away from the wall using a putty knife and pry bar.
- Check the gap between the wall framing and the window or door jamb. If there’s little or no insulation or sealant, the area may need to be sealed.
- Remove any old insulation from the gap.
- Apply low-expansion foam sealant and allow it to harden.
- Trim away any excess foam.
- Reinstall the trim and replace any nails that were removed.
- Fill the nail holes with matching putty or spackle and paint as needed.
☐ Seal your attic hatch
Your attic hatch is often overlooked, but without a proper seal, it can allow warm air to escape into the attic.
What you’ll need:
- Self-adhesive weatherstripping
- Rigid foam board or fiberglass insulation
- Construction adhesive
- Utility knife
- Tape measure
Basic steps:
- Clean the edge of the attic opening.
- Apply weatherstripping around the opening to create a continuous seal.
- Cut insulation to fit the back of the hatch.
- Attach the insulation securely.
- Close the hatch and make sure it forms a snug seal.
DIY shortcut: Pre-made insulated attic stair covers are available at many home improvement stores and online.
Openings around plumbing vent pipes and electrical wiring can allow warm air to escape into the attic. Sealing these small gaps helps improve your home’s air seal.
What you’ll need:
- Low-expansion spray foam
- Caulk
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
Basic steps:
- Locate visible openings around pipes and wiring.
- Fill larger gaps with low-expansion spray foam.
- Seal smaller gaps with caulk.
- Allow the sealant to cure before replacing any insulation that was moved during the project.
☐ Seal leaky ducts
If your ductwork runs through an attic, basement or crawl space, leaks can allow heated air to escape before it reaches the rooms you’re trying to keep comfortable. Sealing and insulating your ducts can help improve your HVAC system’s performance and efficiency.
What you’ll need:
- Something to dust off the area
- Foil tape (not duct tape)
- Work gloves
- Duct sealant (mastic) (optional)
- Paintbrush (optional)
- Flashlight (optional)
- Fiberglass duct insulation (optional)
- Utility knife (optional)
Basic steps:
- Turn off your HVAC system before starting any work.
- Clean off any dust or debris on and around the crack.
- Seal gaps along straight duct seams with foil tape.
- Apply duct sealant with a paintbrush where elbow joints connect to straight sections. (optional)
- Wrap accessible ducts with fiberglass insulation and secure it with foil tape. (optional)
☐ Consider professional attic air sealing
The largest air leaks in a home are sometimes hidden beneath attic insulation.
Have a qualified contractor evaluate your home if you notice:
- Wet insulation
- Mold
- Roof leaks
- Ice dams
- Ventilation problems
- Older knob-and-tube wiring
As warm air escapes through leaks in your attic, cold outside air is pulled into the home through gaps in the basement. Professionally sealing these hidden basement leaks can help reduce drafts and improve comfort throughout your entire home.
No-cost tip
Take advantage of the mild September weather by opening your windows and letting fresh air circulate through your home. Just make sure to fully close all your windows before you turn on the heat for the first time this season.
Get one check mark closer to winter
You don’t have to finish every project in a single weekend. Start with the quick wins and then tackle a moderate DIY project when you have more time. And if you’re planning larger home improvements, consider talking with a qualified contractor about professionally sealing your attic or basement.
Every project you complete is another step toward a more comfortable home during the cold season. So pull up your Fall Prep Checklist, choose your next project and start checking them off.
Want to keep the momentum going? Visit SaveWithPPL.com for more simple ways to manage your energy use and find tools to help you along the way.
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