Fall is here, and winter is on its way. The cold weather is here to stay for a while, but we can remain comfortable throughout as long as we make sure our homes are well-insulated and energy efficient. Insulation is all about storing energy. When it's cold, you want to keep warm air and energy inside. But there are a lot of ways a home can lose its heat, from attic insulation to unsealed doors and windows. Here are a few common cold-weather culprits to look for.
Windows and Doors
You may have insulated your walls and attic, but have you taken a look at your windows and doors? As much as a third of a home's heat loss is from inefficient windows and doors.
If you have older windows and doors, it's likely they aren't as energy efficient as new ones. You could be losing energy directly through them. Single-paned windows transmit the cold inside very quickly: You can feel it if you're right by the windows. Older doors aren't constructed out of well-insulated material and have the same problem. Energy efficient windows and energy efficient doors will solve the problem right away.
You can also be losing energy around them. If your windows and doors aren't well-sealed with caulking or weather-stripping, they will let cold air directly in, and hot air out.
Inefficient Insulation
Insulation technology has made great strides in the past couple of decades. Older insulation doesn't block as much as modern insulation, such as spray foam insulation. Spray foam can fill every corner of a home, making air leaks and drafts a thing of the past. Many homeowners also don't realize that insulation can degrade over time, and dangers such as pests can also disrupt it. If you haven't thought about your insulation for some time, you might want to upgrade it. You can also check to see if your attic has enough insulation: Blown-in insulation is a fast, easy upgrade.
There's an easy way to tell if you're losing a lot of heat through your attic. Take a look at your roof after snow falls. If your snow is melting faster than your neighbors, you aren't insulated enough.
Chimney Heat Loss
If your chimney is damaged or even just old and in need of repair, you could be losing heat directly through your chimney. Insulating your chimney can help. Many fireplaces are not properly insulated, which means that a lot of the heat being produced inside of them is simply being lost to the environment rather than being used to heat your home actively.
Old Furnaces
Your furnace might just not be pumping enough hot air to keep your home warm. If your furnace is older (and 15 years plus is older) and kicks on quite frequently, it's probably wasting energy. It's not efficient enough to convert energy effectively into heat anymore.
It's not that costly to replace just a furnace, though most people want to replace their heater and their HVAC system at the same time (matched pairs work more efficiently with each other). Consider getting someone out to test your furnace to see whether it needs upgrades.
Home Siding
The siding on your home provides additional insulation and protection against the elements. If your siding has become cracked and worn, then it's probably not insulating as adequately. It could even become damaging to your home, as it could provide a safe haven for pests, mold, and other unwanted intruders.
Consider upgrading and updating your home siding if you want better insulation. It will both improve your insulation and the appearance of your home at once.
Garages
Many people don't realize they're losing energy through their garage. If you don't have a solid core door between your garage and your home, then not only do you have an insulation problem, but you could also have a security problem. You can also get an insulated garage door. Insulated garage doors make it easier to convert your garage into a useful space, such as using it for a gym, or a workshop.
Addressing your cold-weather culprits is a great way to improve your energy efficiency, which also enhances your comfort and lowers your heating bills. Are you considering an upgrade? When you’re ready, we’ll be here!
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