🌞 Spring Seal-Up: Get Ahead of Summer Heat (and Bills!)

Spring is here—which means it’s the perfect time to prep your home before the real heat hits. While many homeowners focus on cleaning and redecorating, spring is also a golden opportunity to improve energy efficiency. A quick weekend of maintenance now can save you serious money and stress when summer temperatures spike.

Here’s your guide to sealing up energy leaks before summer, plus a few creative hacks to make it easier and even a little fun.

Why Bother Sealing Now?

Your AC works hard in the summer. But when your home has gaps, cracks, or poor insulation, cool air escapes—forcing your system to work overtime and your utility bills to climb. By sealing energy leaks in spring, you:

• Improve comfort

• Reduce your cooling costs

• Extend the life of your HVAC system

• Keep bugs and allergens outside where they belong

🔧 Step-by-Step: How to Seal Up Your Home for Summer

1. Detect the Drafts

You can’t fix what you can’t see—so start with a quick draft hunt.

• Use an incense stick or candle: Walk around windows, doors, baseboards, and vents. If the smoke or flame flickers, you’ve got a draft.

• Bonus tip: Try this on a windy day or with fans running for extra accuracy.

2. Weatherstrip Doors and Windows

Old weatherstripping wears down and loses its seal. Peel off the old and replace with fresh foam, felt, or rubber strips (available at any hardware store).

• Focus on exterior doors and any windows that open or slide.

3. Caulk the Cracks

Use exterior-grade caulk to seal small gaps around:

• Window frames

• Door frames

• Utility penetrations (pipes, cables, dryer vents)

💡 Pro hack: Apply caulk when the temperature is between 50–80°F for the best adhesion.

4. Upgrade Your Attic & Garage Door Insulation

Check the insulation in your attic—it’s a top culprit for energy loss.

• If it looks sparse or sunken, consider adding blown-in or batt insulation.

• Don’t forget the garage door! Attach foam panels or buy a garage door insulation kit.

5. Install (or Replace) Door Sweeps

Especially on older homes, the space between your door and floor can leak tons of air.

• Use a slide-on or adhesive door sweep to block drafts and keep bugs out.

💡 Out-of-the-Box Energy-Saving Hacks

Let’s make this a little more fun and creative, shall we?

🧂 Chalk Dust Test

Fill an old squeeze bottle with colored chalk dust and puff around suspected leaks. If the dust moves, you've found a leak!

🧲 Magnetic Vent Covers

Have a guest room or storage area you barely use in the summer? Cover those vents with inexpensive magnetic covers to redirect airflow to rooms you actually live in.

🪟 Reflective Window Film

Apply peel-and-stick UV film to sunny south-facing windows. It blocks heat without blocking natural light—bonus: it adds privacy, too.

🧼 Use a Dryer Sheet for Caulking Smoothness

Dip your finger in water and wrap it in a used dryer sheet to smooth caulk like a pro—no mess, no sticking.

🧰 Your Spring Energy Tune-Up Kit:

Here’s a quick shopping list for your seal-up mission:

• Weatherstripping (foam or rubber)

• Caulking gun + all-weather caulk

• Door sweeps

• Spray foam for larger gaps

• Magnetic vent covers

• Reflective window film

• Insulation (if needed)

Final Thoughts

Think of sealing your home like giving it a cozy spring jacket. It’s a small investment of time and money that pays off all summer long—and beyond. At Generations Custom Homes, we believe that smart, seasonal maintenance is one of the best ways to love where you live.

Stay cool, save money, and enjoy the sunshine!