Seal the Deal Before the Heat Moves In

A little caulk now beats high energy bills later. This one fix can keep your cool air where it belongs.

Author

Mike Manning
May 30, 2025

Welcome back to The Proactive Home. Before we jump into the Main Fix this week, I wanted to let you know at the bottom of this email is a link to our new Hurricane Preparedness Guide: Lowcountry Edition. Be sure to check that out and pass it along to anyone who might need to get a head start on being pre

Main Fix: Check Your Windows and Doors Before That Summer Heat Rolls In

Actually, let’s be honest. The summer heat has already arrived. The past few weeks have been a preview of what is coming, and if your home is leaking cool air, your HVAC system is already working overtime.

We see it every year. Perfectly good systems running constantly, trying to cool homes that are losing air faster than they can keep up. The problem usually is not the AC. It is the leaky door frame or cracked window caulking no one noticed.

Here is where to look:

  • Around window trim, especially in older wood or aluminum frames

  • The corners and bottoms of doors where weatherstripping wears out first

  • Along sliding doors and French doors where seals tend to loosen

  • Around attic pull-downs or hatch doors

  • Anywhere pipes, wires, or vents go through walls

If you can feel air movement or see daylight around the edges, that is money slipping out. Hot air in, cool air out. You do not need a new HVAC system. You need to stop the draft.

What to do next:

  • Re-caulk window frames and trim where gaps have opened up

  • Add or replace weatherstripping on any door that feels loose

  • Use window insulation kits for older, drafty windows

  • Foam-seal attic doors and any wall penetrations that pull hot air in

  • Lock windows all the way closed to seal both sashes properly

This is not complicated work, but it is easy to ignore. Most people are shocked how much air escapes from one unsealed door. This is one of those small wins that adds up fast.

And if it turns out the problem really is your HVAC system, we can help there too. We have a strong network of trusted HVAC partners we know personally. If you need a tech who will actually show up and do it right, just ask. Same goes for handyman support if sealing and caulking is not your thing.

5-Minute Task

Stand near your exterior doors and run your hand along the edges. If you feel a breeze, mark it and move on to the next. These spots are easy to fix once you find them.

Tool Spotlight

3M Indoor Window Insulation Kit
If you have older windows or rooms that just never cool down, this clear film kit helps trap air and block heat. It is easy to install with tape and a hair dryer and works surprisingly well.

Lowcountry Watchlist

The heat is no longer creeping in. It is already here. AC systems are under strain, and homes with air leaks are feeling it early. Seal what you can now before July turns it up another notch.

Thanks for reading.

If your home is not holding cool air like it used to, do not wait. Whether you need help sealing things up or you are not sure if it is an AC issue, reach out. I will either walk you through it or connect you with someone I trust who can.

And if you know a neighbor who just moved in or started noticing higher bills, forward this along. This is the kind of thing most people do not notice until it becomes a problem.

Lastly, as stated at the beginning, we here The Proactive Home, have put together a Hurricane Preparedness Guide for this season. It’s free to subscribers, so check it out here. And if you think anyone might interested, we will send it out to any new subscriber as well, so pass on our newsletter and help us grow our community.

With sincerest gratitude,
— Mike

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