PROPERLY insulating your home is a simple way to conserve energy and money.

Heating and cooling are the two most expensive charges on the average household's energy bill.

If there are openings into your home around doors or windows, your heaters or ACs need to work even harder to hit the temperature you want, and consume more energy in the process.

The US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy estimated that of the $2,000 the average household spends on energy annually, as much as $400 could be chalked up to waste from drafts, leaks, and poor air systems.

In other words, by improving your home's insulation and eliminating drafts, you may cut as much as 20% from your energy bill.

And unlike some home improvement projects, you can strengthen your insulation simply and quickly, especially around doors and windows.

Draft stoppers are aptly named tubes typically placed under doors to seal any holes and prevent air from going in or out.

Using a draft stopper is similar to weatherstripping, and can reap similar energy savings if done right.

And draft stoppers are effective year-round in providing savings and limiting wasted energy.

Airtight draft stoppers can keep your home cool in the summer by locking in AC, while keeping the cold out in winter so your home is cozy.

These tools are such an attractive fix because you can find one at the store for around $5, or make one from scratch for free.

Walmart sells adhesive seals you can attach to the bottom of your door or sides of windows for less than $6, in addition to draft stoppers you can slide under your doors for less than $10.

And according to Angi, putting together a DIY stopper is a 5-to-30-minute job that only requires basic household items.

If you plan on making your own, Family Handyman recommends sewing strong fabric into a cylindrical casing and filling the fabric with wood chips, uncooked rice, or something else with weight.

Once the tube is full, all you need to do is close off the ends to have a homemade draft stopper.

Be sure to measure the width of any door or window you're building a stopper for beforehand to avoid any sizing issues after the fact.

In addition to boosting your home's energy efficiency, draft stoppers also keep bugs out and help muffle noise.

A real estate agent also shared how a $3 Amazon item has helped cut his cooling costs by 30%.

And for more on energy savings, The Sun covered appliances that can cost you even when powered off.

Just two months until $750 direct payments drop—apply before the deadline date NOW

Thousands of $500 direct payments being sent out this month - do you qualify?

Deadline for million of Americans to claim up to $1,000 direct payment

Rare Lincoln cent sells for $1,875 - how to spot this special coins

© 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP