Real‑world examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills

Start with the easiest examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills

Before you think about new windows or a fancy smart thermostat, start with the cheap, fast wins. Some of the best examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills are the ones you can do in under an hour.

Example of sealing the gap under exterior doors

If you can see daylight under an exterior door, that’s your heated air leaking straight outside.

A classic example of seal drafts to save on heating bills is installing a door sweep. Modern door sweeps are usually metal or plastic strips with a rubber or brush edge that blocks the gap at the bottom of the door. You cut them to length, screw them into the door, and suddenly that icy draft is gone.

In many homes, especially older ones, this single fix can make a noticeable difference in comfort near entry doors. It’s not unusual for homeowners to combine a door sweep with adhesive foam weatherstripping around the sides and top of the door. Those two together are among the best examples of quick, low-cost draft sealing that can trim heating use without changing your thermostat setting.

Real examples of sealing leaky windows with weatherstripping

Old or poorly installed windows are a common source of drafts. You don’t need to replace them right away. Instead, look for simple examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills around the window frame:

• Self-adhesive foam weatherstripping can be pressed along the sash where it meets the frame. This is perfect for windows that rattle or have visible gaps.
• V-strip (tension seal) is a thin, flexible plastic or metal strip that presses against the window sash when it’s closed, creating a tighter seal.
• Rope caulk (also called putty caulk) can be pressed into small gaps where the window frame meets the wall.

These are real examples that renters often use because they’re inexpensive and mostly removable. Combined with thick curtains or thermal blinds, they can cut down on the cold air sliding off the glass and make a room feel warmer at the same thermostat setting.

For context, the U.S. Department of Energy notes that air leaks around windows and doors are a major source of wasted energy and recommends weatherstripping and caulking as first-line fixes before more expensive upgrades (energy.gov).

Hidden examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills you might be missing

Once you’ve handled doors and windows, it’s time to hunt for the sneaky leaks. These examples include places most people never think about, but they can add up.

Example of sealing electrical outlets and switches on exterior walls

If you’ve ever felt a cold breeze coming from an outlet on an outside wall, you’re not imagining it. There’s often a gap between the electrical box and the drywall, and that space can connect to wall cavities full of cold air.

A simple example of seal drafts to save on heating bills is installing foam outlet and switch gaskets behind the cover plates. These are pre-cut foam pads that fit around the outlet or switch. You remove the cover plate, place the gasket, and screw the plate back on. For extra sealing, you can add child-safety plug covers to the unused outlets to reduce air movement.

This is a great Saturday project: walk room to room, especially along exterior walls, and add gaskets wherever you can. It’s inexpensive, renter-friendly (as long as you keep the old parts), and can noticeably reduce drafts in older homes.

Sealing baseboard gaps and floor-to-wall cracks

Another overlooked example of seal drafts to save on heating bills is sealing the gap where your baseboard meets the floor or wall. In older homes, there can be a visible line where cold air sneaks in from wall cavities or unconditioned spaces.

Latex caulk or paintable acrylic caulk works well here. You run a thin bead along the gaps, smooth it with a finger or damp cloth, and paint over it once dry if needed. It’s not glamorous, but when you combine this with other real examples—like door sweeps and outlet gaskets—you’re slowly tightening the envelope of your home.

Sealing gaps around plumbing and cable penetrations

Anywhere a pipe or cable goes through a wall, floor, or ceiling, there’s a potential leak. Think of the area under your kitchen sink where pipes go through the cabinet and into the wall, or where your internet cable enters the house.

Good examples include using:

• Spray foam for larger gaps around pipes in basements, crawlspaces, and utility rooms.
• Caulk for smaller cracks or where pipes pass through drywall.

These examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills don’t just save energy—they can also help reduce pest entry points and moisture movement, which matters for long-term durability.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that effective air sealing can improve both energy efficiency and indoor air quality when done thoughtfully and combined with proper ventilation (epa.gov).

Bigger-impact examples include sealing attics, chimneys, and ducts

Once you’ve tackled the easy interior fixes, the biggest energy savings often come from sealing the top and bottom of your home—especially the attic and basement.

Example of sealing the attic hatch or pull-down stairs

Warm air rises, and if your attic hatch or pull-down stairs aren’t sealed, your heated air is escaping into the attic like smoke up a chimney.

One of the best examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills is installing an insulated attic hatch cover or building a simple foam box over pull-down stairs. Combined with weatherstripping around the hatch frame, this can significantly reduce heat loss.

Many energy auditors report that an unsealed attic hatch can be one of the leakiest single spots in a house. If you’ve ever walked under your attic access and felt a cold draft in winter, this is likely why.

Sealing around chimneys and flues (safely)

Where a chimney or metal flue passes through the attic floor, there’s often a big gap. You can’t just stuff it with anything, because high heat and fire safety are a concern.

A careful example of seal drafts to save on heating bills here is using sheet metal and high-temperature caulk to create a safe barrier, maintaining required clearances to combustibles. This is often a job for a pro, but it’s worth knowing because that gap can be huge. A home energy audit or blower door test will almost always flag this area.

Real examples of duct sealing to stop heated air from leaking away

If you have forced-air heating, your ducts might be leaking warm air into places that don’t need it—like the attic, crawlspace, or garage. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that in many homes, 20–30% of the air moving through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts (energy.gov).

Powerful examples include:

• Sealing visible duct joints and seams with mastic sealant or foil-backed tape (not standard cloth duct tape, which fails over time).
• Focusing on ducts in unconditioned spaces first, like basements, attics, and garages.

These examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills can have an outsized impact because you’re not just stopping cold air from getting in—you’re stopping heated air from escaping before it ever reaches your rooms.

2024–2025 trends: smarter materials and better DIY options

Draft sealing isn’t new, but the products keep getting better. In 2024–2025, some of the best examples include materials that are easier for DIYers to install and last longer.

Upgraded weatherstripping and door solutions

Modern weatherstripping materials are more durable and flexible, which means they maintain a tight seal over more open/close cycles. Magnetic weatherstripping for steel doors, for example, creates a fridge-like seal that can significantly cut drafts.

Door bottoms now come in adjustable versions that let you fine-tune the seal without scraping your floor. These updated products are strong examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills that don’t require any special skills—just a screwdriver and a tape measure.

Smarter use of infrared and home audits

Thermal cameras used to be specialty tools, but now basic infrared attachments for smartphones are more affordable. In 2024–2025, more homeowners are using these to literally “see” where the heat is leaking.

You might spot bright (warm) streaks where heated air is escaping around a window frame, or cold patches near an attic hatch. These images give you targeted, visual examples of where to seal drafts to save on heating bills so you’re not guessing where to apply caulk or weatherstripping.

Professional energy audits also remain a strong option. Many utilities in the U.S. still offer low-cost or subsidized audits that include blower door testing and detailed reports on air leaks. These reports often list specific examples include attic bypasses, recessed lights, and duct leaks, along with suggested fixes.

How much can sealing drafts really save on heating bills?

Air sealing doesn’t sound glamorous, but the numbers are persuasive.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that homeowners can save about 5–30% on energy bills by combining air sealing with insulation upgrades, depending on the starting condition of the home and climate (energy.gov). In colder regions where heating is a big slice of the bill, that can translate into meaningful annual savings.

When you look at specific examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills—like adding door sweeps, weatherstripping windows, sealing outlets, and tightening the attic hatch—you’re stacking multiple small improvements. Each one might only save a few percent, but together they can noticeably lower your monthly bill and make your home feel more comfortable.

There’s also a health and comfort angle. Reducing drafts can help keep indoor temperatures more stable, which is particularly helpful for young children, older adults, or anyone sensitive to cold. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlight that maintaining adequate indoor warmth is important for reducing cold-related health risks, especially in winter months (cdc.gov).

Putting it all together: a simple, practical plan

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here’s how I’d approach it, using real examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills in a logical order:

Start where you feel the draft the most. Stand near doors and windows on a cold, windy day. If you can feel air movement or see curtains flutter, that’s your first target. Add door sweeps, weatherstripping, and window sealing as needed.

Next, walk the perimeter of your rooms. Check outlets and switches on exterior walls, baseboard gaps, and any visible cracks where walls meet floors or ceilings. Use foam gaskets, caulk, or sealant to close those up.

Then, head to the “hidden” zones. Inspect the attic hatch, pull-down stairs, and any visible gaps around chimneys, flues, or plumbing penetrations. If anything looks large or near high-heat equipment, consider consulting a pro for safe sealing options.

Finally, look at your ducts. If you can see exposed ductwork in a basement, crawlspace, or attic, examine the joints and seams. Any place you can see a gap is a candidate for mastic or foil-backed tape.

As you go, remember that the best examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills are often the boring ones: a strip of foam here, a bead of caulk there, a gasket behind a switch plate. None of them feel dramatic on their own, but together they tighten up your home and take pressure off your heating system.

FAQ: Common questions about sealing drafts and heating bills

What are the most effective examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills in an older home?
Some of the best examples in older homes include adding door sweeps and weatherstripping to leaky exterior doors, sealing around old window frames with foam weatherstripping and rope caulk, installing foam gaskets behind outlets and switches on exterior walls, and tightening up the attic hatch with weatherstripping and an insulated cover. In many older houses, sealing basement rim joists and exposed ductwork can also deliver big gains.

Can you give an example of a quick DIY draft fix that renters can use?
A good renter-friendly example of seal drafts to save on heating bills is using removable window film kits and self-adhesive foam weatherstripping on drafty windows. You can also use draft stoppers (fabric “snakes”) along the bottom of doors and add foam gaskets behind outlet covers, as long as you keep the original parts and avoid permanent changes.

Do I need to worry about indoor air quality when I seal drafts?
Yes, but in a practical way. Most homes are leaky enough that typical DIY examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills will not make them too tight. However, if you live in a very new or already well-sealed home, or if you do extensive air sealing, it’s smart to make sure you have adequate ventilation. The EPA recommends balancing air sealing with controlled ventilation—like kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans or mechanical ventilation systems—to maintain healthy indoor air quality.

How do I know if sealing drafts is working?
You’ll usually feel the difference first: fewer cold spots near windows and doors, less need to “crank” the thermostat, and more even temperatures between rooms. For a more objective check, compare your heating usage (in therms, gallons, or kWh) from similar months year-over-year, adjusted for weather if possible. Some utilities provide usage comparison tools that can help you see the impact.

Is it better to replace windows or just seal drafts around them?
Replacing windows can improve comfort and efficiency, but it’s expensive and usually has a long payback period. In many cases, starting with low-cost examples of seal drafts to save on heating bills—like weatherstripping, caulking gaps, and adding interior storm panels or window film—offers a faster return. You can always upgrade windows later, but it makes sense to capture the easy savings first.