Every home loses some of its energy to cracks, drafts, and other issues. However, when that energy loss becomes excessive, it starts to get noticed. Higher heating bills, an inability to keep the house comfortable, and the furnace kicking on more than you think it should could all be signs that trouble is afoot.
The good news is that there are several things you can do to help reduce heat loss in your home. Here are some tips and best practices.
Insulate, insulate, insulate!
Insulation is one of the best resources to protect your home from heat loss. This includes insulation between the walls, insulated siding (if your home is sided), weatherstripping, and even insulating your pipes, as well as any radiators or tanks in your home. Floor insulation is also going to help your home retain heat better and provide a more comfortable living space for your family.
Replace Windows and Doors
If your windows and doors are older, it might be time for an upgrade. Perhaps you’re financially strapped and that’s not an option—at least consider upgrading the weatherstripping around the doors and consider adding new seals. Or, during the winter months, you can use that temporary plastic that helps act as a barrier to keep the drafts out. They even make it in window kits now, so it’s easy to install.
Don’t Forget the Attic and Crawlspace
While you’re looking for ways to improve your home’s barriers to heat loss, you can’t overlook the crawlspace and the attic. These two areas are responsible for a lot of heat loss and need to be properly insulated and have the appropriate vapor barriers in place to keep your home comfortable from top to bottom.
Talk to an insulation specialist about what’s best for each area of your home, as well as other ways that you might be able to reduce heat loss based on the unique circumstances of your home and the way that you use it.
Make Smart Choices
You don’t have to upgrade your entire home. A few smart changes could make a big difference, as you can see. It also helps you to eliminate the potential causes as you go along, making it easier to ensure that you’re making improvements while also resolving any current issues. And if you want help, ask for a Rusco Window and Doors audit of your home to get a full picture of what’s going on in your home.