It’s almost Earth Day, a day that’s a great reminder that the little things we do at home can have a big impact, not just on the planet but also on our wallets.
With energy costs soaring, even small improvements that reduce air leaks can pay off quickly. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air sealing and insulating your home can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling costs. The best part? These little fixes are simple, affordable, and perfect for DIY-minded homeowners. From sealing gaps to insulating pipes, try these easy upgrades that make your home more energy-efficient while reducing your environmental footprint.
1. Seal the Gaps: Weatherstripping and Door Sweeps
If you only have time for one project, this is the one to do: Sealing air leaks will have the biggest impact on your home energy loss. Gaps around doors and windows let warm air escape in the winter and cool air leak out in the summer, forcing your heating and cooling systems to work harder. One of the easiest ways to save energy is to block these leaks with weatherstripping, a flexible foam, rubber, or vinyl seal that creates a tight barrier to seal cracks around your doors and windows. Not sure where to start? Read this article to learn how to pick the right weatherstripping for your project.
If air is leaking in at the bottom of your doors, a door sweep creates a physical barrier that blocks drafts and prevents heated or cooled air from escaping. Together, weatherstripping and door sweeps can reduce energy loss, lower your bills, and help keep your home comfortable year-round—all while being a little kinder to Mother Earth.
Want more ways to stop leaks? Read this article, Seal It Before You Feel It: Finding and Fixing Air Leaks in Your Home.
2. Add Insulation Where It Counts: Water Heater Blankets and Pipe Insulation
In most homes, heating water is typically the second biggest energy expense. The good news is a few simple changes can make a big difference—think washing clothes in cold water, only running the dishwasher when it’s full, and turning your water heater down just a notch. There’s also an easy upgrade that often gets overlooked: Wrapping your water heater in a water heater insulation blanket helps it retain heat so your unit doesn’t have to continually work to reheat the water in the tank. Our kit comes with everything you need to get the job done—watch this video to learn how to install it:
If you want to take you water heating savings a step further, insulate the pipes that lead out of your water heater. Frost King’s Tubular Foam Pipe Insulation slips right over pipes, quickly and easily, to help hot water stay warmer as it travels through the pipes. Watch this video for step-by-step installation tips:
3. Look for the Hidden Leaks: Socket Sealers, Garage Door Seal, and Window Air Conditioners
When it comes to increasing energy efficiency, little things really do mean a lot. Outlets and switches on exterior walls can let in more drafts than you might think, but our foam outlet and switch sealers—thin foam inserts that slip behind electrical outlets and switches—help block the leaks. For just a few dollars and a few minutes of effort, you can boost comfort, improve efficiency, and make your home a little greener. Watch this video to learn how to install them:
Don’t overlook energy loss through the garage, either. An unsealed garage door can leak cold air in winter and hot air in summer, making your heating and cooling systems work harder. Installing weatherstripping along the top and side of the door is an affordable DIY fix that keeps drafts out and energy bills down. Read How to Keep Your Garage Door in Great Shape to learn more.
If you have a window unit air conditioner, adding weatherseal and side panels can make a surprising difference in preventing outside air from entering and cooled air from escaping. They’re an inexpensive addition that reduces how hard your AC has to work to cool a room, which saves money and lowers your energy consumption. This video shows you how to replace them.
Live Like it’s Earth Day Every Day
Sure, you could replace all your windows and doors, switch to an electric heat pump, or install solar panels on the roof this Earth Day, but being eco-conscious doesn’t have to require a huge investment. All it takes is thoughtful actions that add up over time. Commit to small home fixes that deliver big energy savings. That’s the spirit of Earth Day—and it’s a great approach to keeping your home energy-efficient all year long.
