During the cold season, a few simple steps make your home more energy-efficient and lower your bill. The idea isn't to renovate everything at once, but to tackle the points with the fastest payback — starting with door and window caulking.
Detect air leaks
Hot air leaks and cold air infiltration account for up to 25% of a home's heat loss. It's by far the first thing to tackle, before you even touch the heating system.
- Caulk poorly sealed windows and doors and install weatherstripping.
- Periodically check the seal of weatherstripping. It prevents air infiltration and keeps heat inside.
- Install outlet covers or foam pads between the plate and box of outlets and switches to reduce heat loss through exterior walls.
- Also seal around pipes and ventilation duct outlets.
Not sure where to look? Our article 5 signs it's time to recaulk details the visible symptoms to watch for around your openings.
Caulk before the deep cold
Caulking doesn't apply in any weather, but moisture, not cold, is the problem. Hardware-store latex can't be applied in freezing weather; a professional silicone can be applied down to −30 °C. In Montreal, Laval or on the South Shore, exterior caulking is done year-round, on a dry surface free of frost and ice.
In practice: if you see bad joints in the fall, don't wait for spring. A joint redone before or during winter spares you a full season with open joints. For the step-by-step method, see how to caulk properly — and to understand how long the result will last, our article on caulking lifespan.
Heat efficiently
Replace mechanical thermostats with programmable electronic models; you could save up to 10% on heating costs.
Main tips
- Lower the set temperature by just one degree Celsius and you could reduce heating costs by 5 to 7%.
- Don't unnecessarily heat unoccupied rooms.
- Lower the set temperature of unoccupied rooms and close the doors.
Secondary tips
- Dust your baseboard heaters and warm air outlets.
- Avoid placing furniture in front of heat sources.
- If you heat with a central system or electric baseboards, get smart thermostats; they'll automatically adjust the temperature based on your habits.
Final tips
- If you have a garage, don't overheat it.
- Let sunlight in through windows on the sunny side and close curtains or blinds on unexposed windows.
- Close all curtains and blinds in the evening.
Stack with a subsidy program
Caulking isn't just an expense — in many cases it qualifies for rebates through programs like Hydro-Québec's LogisVert. Combined with smart-thermostat replacement and a full recaulk of every opening, payback often lands within one or two heating seasons. All practical terms (eligibility, pricing, warranty, service areas) are in our FAQ, and free quotes are available for any project in Laval and across Greater Montreal.
Source: Hydro-Québec