Now That Winter’s Over, Can You Still Detect Drafts Around Your Windows?

Winter has come to a merciful end. Okay, so maybe there’s going to be a few snaps of cold air pushing down out of the Arctic throughout May, but for the most part you don’t have to worry about the incredible cold air pushing into your home, causing you to have to run the heating system all day and all night.

Many Canadians welcome spring and summer just for the cost savings they’ll enjoy without having to try and struggle to stay warm all winter long.

Older homes may have inefficient windows and doors, creating more drafts inside the house that can lead to colder air pressure pressing in, causing them to have to run the heat more frequently. Detecting those drafts during the coldest days and nights of winter is much easier, but what about during the warmer months?

How can you detect drafts to determine if your windows need to be replaced?

There are a couple of things that can be done. First, as long as there is a significant difference between the outside air temperature and that inside your home, you will be able to detect drafts by laying your hand a couple of centimeters or so away from the window, the glass, and the frame around it.

That can be much more difficult as we move through the months ahead, though. The other option is to get an energy audit for your home.

There are certain devices that detect drafts without having to worry about heating up your home during the winter or keeping it as cool as possible with air conditioning, which few homes in the greater Toronto area have.

These devices detect pressure changes and will determine where air would be most likely to escape your home.

If you get an energy audit and it’s determined that there are significant drafts in and around your windows or doors, it’s a good idea to consider having them replaced. This investment can improve the value of your home and also save you a tremendous amount of money during the winter months to come.