When the winter hits, the electricity bills tend to go down as the gas bills go up. Unless, of course, you have electric heating. Either way, everyone wants to keep their heating bills down, and one of the best ways to do that is to keep the heat in and the cold out.

That means stopping drafts.

Drafts not only bring down your home’s efficiency, but they leave you with uneven temperatures across your home. One room is too hot while another is frigid. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to stopping drafts in your home.

Wrap Up Your Windows

Old windows are notorious for letting cold air through. But even newer windows aren’t immune to some draftiness. One of the simplest steps to take when trying to keep the winter air out is to place plastic wrap over your windows.

A thin sheet of shrink wrap plastic does a surprisingly effective job of maintaining temperatures in your home. Plastic wrap made specifically for windows can be found at your local Target, Walmart, etc. It’s cheap and easy to install.

Thick Shades

Curtains don’t just keep passerby’s from looking into your home at night. They also block out drafts and cold air. If your windows are still feeling drafty after some plastic wrap, consider upgrading your curtains to something a little heavier.

Door Snakes

Don’t let the name scare you. Door snakes are weighted fabric tubes that rest against the bottom of a door, keeping air from sneaking through. They’re the perfect solution for those doors that don’t quite meet the ground when they’re closed.

You can find door snakes online, in stores, or you can even make them yourself.

Weather Stripping

Weather stripping exists to seal your doors and windows when they’re closed. But if it’s worn out or broken, it’s not doing its job. It never hurts to do a quick inspection of the weather stripping around your home. It’s simple enough to replace.

Upgrading Your Entry Doors

Not all doors are created equal. Even with weather stripping in place and a door snake resting in front of it, cheap and old doors let in cold air. If you find the areas around your doors to be constantly cold, it might be time to upgrade them.

If you really want to go the extra mile, consider insulated doors. They help keep your home more efficient year, and thanks to the added thickness, they’re more secure.

For all of your exterior door needs in Ohio, contact Springfield Overhead Door. With our high-quality products and professional installation, we’ll help keep those winter drafts at bay.