Significance

• A drafty exterior door adds an estimated 2 percent to your home's annual energy bill. Fixing this problem will make your home more comfortable and result in financial savings. Repairing or replacing a drafty door also can help reduce our nation's carbon footprint. In other words, you can save money and help prevent global warming at the same time.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• There are a number of solutions for a drafty door, including:
  
  * Installing an exterior storm door.
  * Replacing a hollow door with a solid one.
  * Using caulk to fill in gaps in the trim around a drafty door.
  * Placing weather-stripping around the door, particularly at the bottom.
  
  

Considerations

• When it comes to a drafty door, a key consideration involves your budget. Installing a storm door or replacing a hollow door with a solid one are the most expensive options, costing anywhere from $100 to $300. Caulking or weather-stripping materials are significantly cheaper choices for fixing a drafty door.
  
  Individuals who lack handyman skills may want to consider hiring a professional for the job. This will result in less effort and potential frustration but the cost will be higher.
  
  

Time Frame

• Fall is one of the best times to fix a drafty door. Correcting the problem before cold temperatures arrive will keep your home feeling cozy all winter long while also lowering your monthly energy bills.
  
  

Benefits

• Besides lowering their monthly utility bills, homeowners in the United States may qualify for a federal energy-efficiency tax break of up to $500 if they replace a drafty door after Jan. 1, 2009. Under a law signed by President Bush on Oct. 3, 2008, these homeowners can recover 10 percent of the cost for installing a storm door or an energy-efficient exterior door. Check with your tax adviser for more information on this tax credit.