In the winter, your home should offer you a cozy refuge from the cold outside world. But that’s only possible if your heated indoor air remains inside your house where it belongs, while the cold air stays outside. Use the draft-prevention tips below to ensure your home stays warm and comfortable all season long.
Add Insulation
Ensuring your house is well insulated will have a significant impact on energy efficiency. Heated air tends to rise, so a large amount of your home’s heat can escape through the attic if it’s poorly insulated. Hire an HVAC contractor to check whether your attic insulation is up to snuff, and install more insulation if necessary.
Bear in mind that the cold outside air can affect your home even if your windows are well sealed. That’s because windows can let your home’s heat escape through the glazing. Astonishing, isn’t it? For an extra layer of insulation, use heavy drapes to cover your windows.
Repair Visible Household Leaks
Tour your home and look for any visible air leaks in the building envelope, including the foundation and siding. Note the locations of these problem areas and make sure you have them fixed.
Seal Doors and Windows
Leaks around your windows and doors may not be very obvious. However, they still allow cold air to seep in and reverse the good work your heating system is doing to keep your home comfortable. Inspect your exterior doors and windows for cold-air leaks by moving a lit candle or incense stick around the frames. A draft will make the flame or smoke blow toward you. Seal the leaks with caulk or weather stripping.
Carrying out the fixes above will make your home cozier and help you save on heating costs. If you need more expert advice on draft prevention in the winter, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. For more than 40 years, we’ve been helping homeowners in the Dayton area meet their home-comfort needs.
