If you think only the bathroom and kitchen need caulking, think again. Use that caulk gun everywhere, inside and out. Insert this practical compound in the joints around windows, doors, vents, between the foundation and building, and around chimneys and roof vents. You should seal all joints and cracks.

Caulking cuts down on use of expensive utilities like electricity and fuel; barricades cold air, wind, moisture; keeps heated and cooled air from leaking out; and keeps most bugs out. Even after your house is sealed, be vigilant and inspect the joints once a year. As caulking dries, it shrinks, cracks, and falls out. It may take a couple years, but eventually you'll have to go around the house all over again. When you do, remove the cracked pieces and fill in the holes with fresh caulk.