Good call on ventilation—had similar issues myself. Upgraded windows years ago thinking they'd fix most of my cooling problems. Helped with noise and storms, sure, but barely made a dent in the electric bill. Then I got up in the attic and realized the vents were clogged with years of dust and insulation debris. Quick fix: pulled off the vent covers, cleaned them out thoroughly, and added a few extra soffit vents for better airflow. Felt an immediate difference upstairs, and bills dropped noticeably after that.
Have you checked your weatherstripping around exterior doors lately? Mine looked fine at first glance, but I could actually feel warm air sneaking in on windy days. Simple enough to replace it with new strips from the hardware store—cheap and easy upgrade that made a real difference.
Great points about ventilation and weatherstripping—I see this all the time. People often assume new windows alone will drastically cut energy costs, but it's usually a combination of factors. One thing I'd add is checking the caulking around window frames. Even professionally installed windows can have minor gaps develop over time, letting air seep through. A quick inspection and touch-up with quality silicone caulk every few years can really help maintain efficiency. Curious if you've noticed any gaps or cracks around your frames yet?
I've actually noticed a few tiny cracks around mine recently, and I upgraded less than two years ago. Didn't think much of it at first, but after reading your comment, I'm starting to wonder if that's why my living room still feels drafty at times. Is silicone caulk pretty easy to apply as a DIY thing, or does it take some practice to get right? I'm guessing it's pretty forgiving, but I don't want it looking sloppy either...
"Is silicone caulk pretty easy to apply as a DIY thing, or does it take some practice to get right?"
I tackled this exact thing last fall when I noticed drafts sneaking in around my kitchen windows. Honestly, silicone caulk isn't too tricky, but there's definitely a bit of a learning curve. My first window looked a little messy, but by the second one, I got the hang of smoothing it out with a damp finger. Just keep some paper towels handy for cleanup, and you'll be fine. Plus, sealing those tiny cracks made a noticeable difference—totally worth it.
I agree silicone caulk isn't rocket science, but there's definitely a knack to it. One thing I'd add—masking tape is your friend. I learned the hard way after leaving a wobbly line around my bathtub. Next time, I taped both sides of the seam, applied the caulk, smoothed it out, then peeled off the tape while it was still wet. Came out looking pro-level...well, almost. Either way, sealing those gaps really helps keep the heat in and energy bills down.
Masking tape definitely helps, but honestly, I think it's a bit overrated. I've found that using a good-quality caulking tool or even just a damp finger (with some dish soap) can give you equally clean lines without the hassle of taping everything off. Plus, sometimes the tape leaves behind residue or pulls up paint if you're not careful—been there, done that.
Also, while sealing gaps around tubs and windows is great for energy efficiency, don't overlook other sneaky spots like electrical outlets and recessed lighting fixtures. Those little gaps add up more than you'd think. I went around my place with some foam gaskets and spray foam insulation last winter, and it made a noticeable difference in comfort and heating bills. Windows are important, sure...but sealing those hidden leaks can be just as impactful.
Totally agree about the hidden leaks—those foam gaskets around outlets are underrated.
"Plus, sometimes the tape leaves behind residue or pulls up paint if you're not careful—been there, done that."
Haha, yep, learned that lesson the hard way myself... damp finger trick is my go-to now.