![]() No light should be visible through the bottom of the door. Fitting the door sweep properly to the door is key, since the door sweep cannot do its job if the door seal is not tight.Door sweeps are generally installed with metal screws into the actual door. ![]() Here are some tips on making sure your door sweep will keep out all unwanted pests, drafts, and weather. Using door sweeps can also help reduce the amount of insecticides and chemical pest control measures, especially if the door sweep is made of heavy duty, long lasting materials.ĭoor sweeps are often easy to install and can be used on any exterior door in commercial or residential buildings.Most pest infestations can be avoided by making sure there are no gaps or cracks for insects to get in, and this is an easy, cost-effective solution. Replacing and installing door sweeps are very important in maintaining a pest-proof barrier of the exterior of your home.Make sure to inspect door sweeps regularly, checking for damage.Choose door sweeps that give you as much protection as possible. Exterior door sweeps can come in several different types, including brush types and those that include rubber gaskets that also act as a weather strip and draft protection.Gaps as small as 1/16” or less can let insects in, gaps ¼” wide can let in mice, and gaps ½” wide can let in rats. If light is filtering through your door, the gaps may be large enough for pests to gain entrance.The base of an exterior door, if not fit or sealed properly, can create gaps large enough for insects and other pests to enter your home.They are included in the exclusion method of pest control, a preventative step that can help you to avoid pest infestations before they begin by stopping pests at the threshold of your home. What I learned from the engineers, architects, and contractors that worked with the co-op informs this guide, as well.You might think door sweeps are a minor part of your home, but they are an important, common measure for pest proofing your home. For my part, I oversaw multiple energy-efficiency and weatherizing projects during a decade as president of my co-op in New York City, including the re-caulking of our buildings’ 1,000-plus windows and the replacement of their roofs with better-insulated materials. We also discuss federal and utility-based programs that may help cover some or all of the costs the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act released billions of dollars in funding for home energy-efficiency upgrades, many of them aimed at low- and moderate-income households.įor this guide, we spoke with several people who work directly on weatherizing: Jonnell Carol Minefee, co-founder and managing partner of Solar Tyme USA, a Georgia-based company that focuses on energy-efficiency solutions in low-income and minority communities Josh Butzbaugh and Cheryn Metzger, senior researcher and residential program manager, respectively, at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL, a division of the Department of Energy), who specialize in home energy efficiency Matt Bramson, executive vice president of marketing and sales, and Haydin Hartle, director of strategic sales at Elevation, an Arizona-based company that provides both solar installations and energy-reduction services and on background, the director of single-family residential programs at the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority. Taken together, they can potentially lower your utility bills by as much as 40%, ultimately paying for themselves. Some of the tips are even things you can do yourself without special tools or skills. Below, we walk you through the basic steps that experts we spoke with-independent researchers, home energy contractors, and a utility representative-suggest as the most cost-effective ways to weatherize. Weatherizing a home is the process of improving its airtightness and its ability to retain heated and cooled air, and it does not have to be massively expensive or terribly difficult. Sign up for Wirecutter's newsletters to get independent reviews, expert advice, and the very best deals sent straight to your inbox.Ī well-sealed, well-insulated home is a more comfortable and energy-efficient home, and with electricity rates rising and natural gas becoming more expensive, it’s also a cheaper home to run.
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