Windows in particular can allow a huge amount of heat energy to escape. Depending on the type of construction and fittings, windows can make up 27 percent of a home’s overall energy consumption. But it is not only window glazing that is important. Major heat loss also occurs especially around window frames. Here’s a simple test you can perform to see if your windows are sealed tightly:

Close the window on a piece of paper, clamping it between the window and the frame. If the paper is easy to remove, the seal is not tight. Repeat this test in various locations. Now you can use a lighted candle to easily find the spots that are letting air through. These checks are even easier when it is windy or cold outside.

The cold air that enters the home through gaps in windows and doors that do not seal properly must later be heated to room temperature. This costs energy, and with it, money. But help is at hand, in an easy-to-install form that does not even necessitate replacing the windows. Windows and doors can be sealed with elastic sealing strips, gaps beneath doors with sealing brushes or moldings.