How to Weatherize for Winter: Weatherproofing your Home

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Save Money and Live Comfortably When Temperatures Drop

New Yorkers are no stranger to layering up when temperatures dip below freezing. Preparing for winter applies to homes and businesses, too, by way of weatherization.

Weatherization (sometimes called weatherproofing) involves protecting a building’s interior from outside temperatures and moisture. In winter, weatherization upgrades like air sealing and insulation improve heat retention, cut energy use, enhance indoor comfort, and prevent ice dams and damage to the building.

Get the full scoop on weatherization, including its benefits, best practices, and available programs and incentives, in this comprehensive guide.

Why is Weatherization Important?

Along with frigid temperatures and shorter days, winter in New York brings increased demand for heating homes and businesses. In a typical home, 43% of annual energy consumption goes toward space heating. But if the building envelope isn’t weatherized, air leaks will drive down efficiency come wintertime, wasting about 25-40% of energy used for heating.

Air leakage isn’t just about wasting money and energy – it can impede comfort by creating drafts and uneven temperatures throughout a home or building. Inefficient, leaky buildings can also pose health and safety risks due to thermal stress, poor ventilation, and exposure to mold and allergens.

Weatherization mitigates these issues by shielding a building from the elements – keeping heat inside and preventing moisture and pollutants from creeping in for improved comfort, health, and efficiency. It’s also a fundamental step before making other efficiency upgrades. By reducing the energy needed for space heating and cooling, a well-insulated, weatherized building could be sized for a smaller, lower-cost heat pump system.

How to Weatherize Your Home or Business

Between the building envelope and heating and cooling systems, there are a variety of improvements that can contribute to weatherization depending on a building’s needs. Many of these cost-saving investments are eligible for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits or covered through New York State programs (more on that below).

In any case, weatherization begins with an energy assessment to pinpoint exactly where a building is leaking air, thus wasting energy for heating and cooling. New York homeowners and renters living in 1-4 family homes can get a no-cost home energy assessment with a certified energy auditor. Technical assistance and incentives are also available for commercial and multifamily buildings to complete an energy assessment.

Here's a look at some of the most common and cost-effective weatherization upgrades.

1. Address Air Leaks

Air leakage through cracks and gaps in the walls, floors, and roof can hinder heating efficiency and comfort. Though leaks around windows or floorboards can be easy to detect, other infiltration points such as the attic, recessed lighting, and foundation are less obvious, underscoring the importance of a professional energy assessment.

There are multiple options for air sealing, including weatherstripping, caulking, and spray foams. Caulking windows or weatherstripping doors are feasible DIY projects to take care of drafts and start recouping energy savings. Working with a qualified contractor is recommended for sealing air leaks in the attic, rim joists, and other hard-to-reach places.

2. Add Insulation

Installing insulation creates a stronger thermal barrier between the interior and exterior of the home or building, improving efficiency and temperature control. Insulation also limits outside noise and protects against pests.

Many older homes and buildings in New York are uninsulated or insufficiently insulated. The attic (both the floor and roof), basement, crawl spaces, and exterior walls are the primary locations for adding or replacing insulation with weatherization in mind.

There are multiple insulation materials to choose from, but all are measured in terms of their R-value, with higher R-values indicating greater thermal resistance.

Homeowners can expect to save around 15% on heating and cooling by adding insulation and air sealing.

3. Upgrade Windows and Doors

Caulking windows and weatherstripping doors can cut down on air leaks, but further repair or replacement may be necessary depending on their condition.

Homes and buildings with single-pane or older windows can choose to install storm windows or swap them out for double- or triple-pane varieties. When comparing options, take note of the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) rating, which measures their efficiency.

Installing new exterior doors can provide greater heat-trapping capabilities. Their performance is either measured by R-value or NFRC rating depending on the material (i.e., steel or fiberglass vs. glass).

4. Check Your HVAC System

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are responsible for regulating and moving heated and cooled air through a home or building. Replacing or cleaning filters in your HVAC system is an important part of routine maintenance to preserve efficiency and air quality, especially ahead of increased heating demand in winter.

Over time, HVAC systems with air ducts may experience leaking, especially at the seams, lowering their efficiency and raising heating costs. Forced-air heating and cooling systems lose about 20-30% of the air that moves through their ductwork due to leaks. Since most duct systems are difficult to access behind walls and underneath floorboards, working with an HVAC contractor to seal HVAC ducts is recommended.

If your HVAC system is operating inefficiently or approaching the end of its useful life, replacing the old system with a cold-climate heat pump can deliver year-round comfort and long-term savings in your newly-weatherized home or business. In 2022, U.S.-based sales of these efficient and emission-free dual heating and cooling systems surpassed gas furnaces by more than 400,000 units.

Click here to read the full story and learn how NYSERDA programs and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits can help lower the cost of weatherization for your home or business.