4 Hidden Air Leaks Inflating Your Nicor Bill (And How to Stop Cold Drafts Today)

Winter in Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs is never cheap. You’ve cranked up the heat, but your feet are still cold, and your ComEd or Nicor Gas bill keeps climbing. What’s going on? Most likely, you are paying to heat the street.

Your house acts like a chimney: warm air rises and escapes through the roof, while cold air gets sucked in from the bottom and sides. Below are 4 places most homeowners forget to check, along with simple tricks to find and stop cold drafts before they cost you more money.

1. The Dollar Bill Test for Your Doors

Think your front door is sealed tight? Let’s find out. You don’t need fancy tools—just a single dollar bill.

• How to test: Open your door, place a dollar bill on the threshold (the bottom plate), and close the door so half the bill is sticking out. Now, try to pull it out.

  
  

• The Result: If the bill slides out easily without resistance, your weatherstripping has failed. You are literally throwing money through that gap.

  
  

• The Fix: Installing a new door sweep is a quick job that instantly seals the gap.

2. Are Your Outlets Blowing Cold Air?

It sounds strange, but go put your hand over an electrical outlet on an exterior wall on a windy day. Do you feel a chill? That outlet box is essentially a hole in your wall’s insulation.

• The Reality Check: You don’t need to tear down the wall. There are inexpensive foam gaskets made specifically for this.

  
  

• How a pro does it: We unscrew the plastic cover plate (just one screw!), insert the foam gasket to seal the box, and screw the cover back on. It acts like a cork to stop cold drafts from entering your living room.

3. Windows: Closing Them Is Not Enough

Many homes in our area have double-hung windows (the kind that slide up and down). We often slide them down and assume they are closed.

• The Secret: You must rotate the lock (latch) at the top. This mechanism isn't just for security. It actively pulls the two sashes together, compressing the seals. If your windows are unlocked, there is likely a gap letting air in. Go check your locks right now!

4. The Attic Hatch Trap

If your attic access is in a hallway or closet, look up. Often, it’s just a piece of plywood resting on a frame. No insulation, no rubber seal. Heat escapes there just as fast as it would through an open window.

• The Fix: Treat your attic hatch like a front door. It needs weatherstripping around the perimeter to close tightly and keep the heat inside.

Ready to Stop Cold Drafts and Save Money?

Did the dollar bill slide right out? Can you feel the wind coming through your outlets? Don't spend your weekend running back and forth to the hardware store.

Book a "Winterization Audit" with Tools and Hands. We will come out, identify the leaks, and install the right seals and gaskets in a single visit. We help you keep the heat inside and the money in your pocket.