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According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), about one-third of the heat loss in a typical home happens through doors and windows,[1] with doors alone accounting for approximately 11 percent of home air leakage.[2] Older doors—along with those that have not been properly installed or air-sealed—are particularly vulnerable to air leakage and uncontrolled heat transfer.[3] Most experts agree that caulking and weatherstripping a home to prevent air leakage will usually pay for itself in energy bill savings within a year,[4] and the Rocky Mountain Institute estimates that weatherizing a typical home's windows and doors will reduce its annual CO₂ emissions by between 400 and 600 pounds.[5]

Glossary

• door sweep: A type of weatherstripping used to seal the bottoms of doors against infiltration and heat loss.[6]
• U-factor: A measurement of a how effectively a door or window protects against heat loss; the lower the U-factor, the better a door insulates.[7]
• weatherstripping: A material applied to the gaps around windows and doors in order to seal them against air leakage.[8]

External links

• National Fenestration Rating Council
• EERE Consumer's Guide - Weatherstripping
• EERE Consumer's Guide - Caulking
• Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income families