Before Sustainable Practice presents information you and your friends and family can use for energy savings this winter, we want to encourage you to consider the most sustainable holiday gift you could give this year: 52 weeks of One Step This Week, offering knowledge to empower people like you to become more sustainable. (It’s also a gift to Earth this holiday season!) Until December 31, we are offering a 20% discount on a yearly subscription to One Step that will cost just $40 for the added benefits of a half-hour personal Zoom consultation with sustainability expert and One Step writer Fred Horch, occasional insights on environmental news, and the benefit of being in a community of people who are committed to sustainability as one of their priorities. If you haven’t yet purchased a paid yearly subscription, this is the very best time for you to subscribe for yourself or give a gift to others who share your priorities for a sustainable future. Click the button below and know you are making the best resolution for 2025.

Give a gift subscription

As winter begins in the northern hemisphere, now is a great time to make your home or office more energy-efficient. Better weatherstripping—sealing gaps around openings like doors and windows—can reduce air leakage by 25–40%. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this simple step can save 10–15% on heating bills and make your space more comfortable in extreme weather conditions. Whether you're just noticing drafts or ready to transform your home's entire envelope, choose the level of investment in weatherstripping that matches your needs.

Improving Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is a flexible strip of material installed around an exterior door or window that opens. The purpose of weatherstripping is to provide a continuous seal around the opening when the door or window is fully closed and latched. Poorly-installed or worn-out weatherstripping allows air, moisture, and sometimes insects or animals to get through. Well-installed weatherstripping provides a dependable barrier so indoor conditions can be better controlled.

Quick-Start: Simple Sealing

Most homeowners, landlords, or tenants can tackle these basic steps:

  • Test for drafts by using the back of your hand near door and window edges on a windy day. Mark drafty spots with sticky notes.

  • Clean door frames with rubbing alcohol, then install peel-and-stick foam weatherstripping tape around your draftiest door. Focus on where the door meets the frame.

  • Place a draft snake or rolled towel at the bottom of exterior doors as a temporary solution.

Intermediate: Strategic Sealing

Ready for more comprehensive draft prevention? Try these steps:

  • Install V-strip weatherstripping in window channels. This durable plastic or metal option outperforms basic foam tape.

  • Add door sweeps to exterior doors. These screw-on strips seal against the threshold while allowing smooth operation.

  • Apply rope caulk to rarely-opened windows for temporary winter sealing—it peels off easily in spring.

Advanced: Complete Coverage

For serious draft elimination, consider these approaches:

  • Install tubular rubber or vinyl weatherstripping around exterior doors. This premium material effectively seals uneven gaps.

  • Add automatic door bottoms that drop down when the door closes, perfect for transitions between different flooring types.

  • Apply shrink-fit window film as a supplemental barrier against heat loss while preserving natural light.

Transformative: Whole-House Solutions

Ready to maximize your impact? Take these comprehensive steps:

  • Schedule a professional energy audit with blower door testing to identify all air leaks.

  • Install weatherstripping as part of a complete air-sealing package including outlet gaskets and threshold upgrades.

  • Create a seasonal maintenance schedule to check and replace weatherstripping before each heating season.

Technical Note: Measuring Success

While you'll feel the difference immediately when drafts disappear, measuring actual savings takes attention to detail:

  1. Track your heating bills before and after installation, adjusting for temperature differences between years.

  2. Monitor your heating system's runtime using a smart thermostat or simple timer.

  3. Check indoor temperature stability with a digital thermometer, especially near previously drafty areas.

Why Now

Early winter is the perfect time to weatherstrip. By acting now, you'll:

  • Maximize savings during peak heating season

  • Work in moderate temperatures ideal for proper installation

  • Reduce strain on heating systems during highest-demand months

And don’t forget to give that discounted gift subscription to friends and family before Dec. 31. (They will thank you. Earth will thank you.).

Further Reading and References

These references cover both technical details and practical tips for installing and maintaining weatherstripping effectively.