
Your doors are one of the critical areas of your home that can affect your energy efficiency. In the winter, heat loss through doors can account for 10% to 15% of your total heating bill, while air conditioning can escape through gaps and cracks in the summer. Here are a few simple things you can do to make your doors more energy efficient and reduce your energy costs.
Install Weatherstripping
Doors are a vital part of any home's energy efficiency. In the summer, hot air from outside can enter through cracks and gaps around doors, driving up cooling costs. In the winter, warm air from inside can escape similarly, leading to higher heating bills.
Weatherstripping is one of the simplest and most effective ways to seal doors against drafts. It is a flexible strip of material that can be placed around the perimeter of a door, filling in any gaps and creating a tight seal. Various weatherstripping materials are available, including foam, rubber, and adhesive-backed plastic.
For best results, choose a product designed for your specific type of door or window. Installation is typically a simple process, and you can apply many weatherstripping products without needing tools or special skills.
Install the Door Correctly
A properly installed door can significantly affect your home's energy efficiency. One way to ensure your door is installed correctly is to check the fit. The door should be snug against the frame, with no gaps around the edges. Ensure that your door is measured accurately and have experts like Doors Plus install it to avoid any issues.
Another way to improve the energy efficiency of your doors is to add insulation. To do this, you can use thermal curtains or blinds to help insulate your door. Heavy curtains help block drafts, while blinds can reflect heat into the room. You can also add a layer of foil-faced foam insulation to your wooden doors. This will help to reflect heat and improve efficiency.
Add a Storm Door
Storm doors are a great way to make your home more energy efficient. They provide an extra layer of protection against the elements, helping to keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. In addition, storm doors can help to reduce drafts and air leakage, which can lead to high energy bills.
While storm doors can be a bit of an investment, they will pay for themselves in energy savings over time. In addition, they can help to reduce noise pollution and increase security. Storm doors come in various styles and can be customized to match the look of your home. They are relatively easy to install and can be a great way to improve your home's energy efficiency.
Replace Older Doors With Energy-Efficient Models
Older doors can leak a lot of heat, which drives up your energy bills calling for door replacement. Energy efficient doors help to keep the heat in, lower your energy bills, and reduce your carbon footprint. There are a few things to consider when choosing energy-efficient doors for your home.
The first is the type of insulation. Foam insulation is a good choice for energy efficiency, as it helps to keep the door airtight. Fiberglass or cellulose insulation are also good choices. The second thing to consider is the type of glass. Low-e glass helps to reflect heat into the house, and tinted glass can also help to reduce solar gain.
Use Door Sweeps
Door sweeps are thin strips of material mounted on a door's bottom, typically using adhesive or screws. When the door is closed, the sweep makes contact with the threshold, creating a seal that helps to prevent drafts.
In addition to sealing off gaps around the edges of doors, door sweeps also help to insulate against noise. As a result, they can be an effective way to improve your home's energy efficiency and make it more comfortable to live in.
While there are many ways to make your doors more energy efficient, the best way to find out what will work for you is to test different methods. By using some of the ideas we’ve outlined, you can start saving money on your energy bill and doing your part in helping the environment.