Winter Warmth: Cozy Home Tips to Beat the Chill

As the colder months approach, keeping your home cozy becomes a top priority. Whether you’re settling in for a long winter or just looking to enhance your comfort, maintaining warmth in your living space is essential. In this blog, we'll explore effective strategies and tips to ensure your home stays inviting, no matter how chilly it gets outside.

It’s important to pinpoint the specific areas in your home that are causing heat loss. Whether you choose to inspect the home yourself or enlist the help of a professional, certain spots are typically significant sources of heat loss. Curious about how much heat escapes through these areas? Let’s take a deeper look at some of the main contributors to temperature drain.

WINDOWS

Windows are ineffective at insulating heat. In an article written by Jeff Weishaupt for Housegrail.com, “Windows contribute to 16% of the total heat loss from your home.’ So, what are some steps you can take to reduce the leakage:

·       Install triple-glazed panes or storm windows.

·       Seal fixed parts with foam or caulk.

·       Use weatherstripping.

·       Install plastic sheets on your windows.

·       Hang curtains or drapes. Think ‘layering’ by starting with curtains made from a dense fabric, followed by sheer curtains or blinds. Make certain the curtains completely cover the sides of the window and overlap at the center. If you choose blinds, opt for a recess fit inside the window.

DOORS

Doors have tiny holes and cracks which can account for as much as 38% of heat escaping. In fact, Weishaupt says that an 1/8 -inch crack beneath a door can amount to heat loss equal to a 2.4-inch hole in a wall. To remedy this loss:

·       Use weatherstripping.

·       Opt for fiberglass or steel doors rather than glass ones.

·       Look for Energy Star-rated doors.

·       Use door sweeps at the bottom of doors.

·       Cover keyholes and mail slots.

WALLS

Both basement and framed walls are frequent contributors to heat loss. Over time, the insulation in walls can deteriorate. For this issue, a professional may be required to remedy the problem.  A professional will be able to guide you on the best options for insulation types - loose fill, blown-in cellulose, fiberglass, mineral insulation, or spray foam. According to sources, 31% or nearly one third of ALL heat loss is a result of poorly insulated walls, ceilings, and floors.

·       The benefits of insulation can be vast. A study from 2017 by the University of Sheffield and UCL found that adding insulation to suspended timber ground floors, (commonly found in homes built before the Second World War) can reduce heat loss by up to 92%.

RECESSED LIGHTS, OUTLETS, AND ELECTRICAL WIRES

Any openings on your walls or ceilings, can also contribute to heat loss. Follow these strategies to reduce reduction from sources such as recessed lights:

·       Install electrical switches and gaskets.

·       Use spray foam to prevent loss from outlets.

By taking these steps, you can enhance your home's energy efficiency, keep it warmer, and lower your heating costs. In doing so, you can be sure you’ll enjoy a cozier home throughout the winter months.

Sandi Downing Real Estate/Keller Williams

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