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During the winter, it’s common for homes to feel drafty and cold even when you’re blasting the heat. This can be due to an old HVAC system, a leaky roof, or many other reasons. Talk to your HVAC contractor in Eagle, PA, to find out how you can seal up the cracks and make your home cozier and more energy efficient than ever. Look for Cracks in Your Home Even the smallest cracks can let cold air into your home. The most common places to find cracks are at the joints in your home, like your window frames or where your roof connects to your home. You can seal up small cracks with weather stripping or caulk, but you may need professional repairs for larger cracks. It’s also important to try to find the cause of the cracks. Some are caused by years of exposure to harsh weather, but others may be caused by water damage or home pests like termites, which will need to be treated so they don’t continue to damage your home. Upgrade Your Insulation Many homes are not insulated properly, letting cold air in even after you’ve finished patching up the cracks. Blown-in insulation is a good way to add extra insulation to an area without a lot of hassle. Other types of insulation come in easy rolls that you can install yourself. Make sure to give your attic special attention: because heat rises, this is the area where a lot of your heat is lost during the winter. Use Your Fireplace Sparingly Your fireplace may make you feel warm and toasty, but it isn’t great for the rest of your house. When you use your fireplace, warm air from your whole home gets sucked up the chimney, making the rest of your home colder. Use glass doors in front of your fireplace to reduce the effect, and be sure to close the flue when your fireplace isn’t in use. Let in Natural Light One of the easiest ways to make your home a little warmer is by taking advantage of the natural heat of the sun. When you open up the blinds on your windows when they’re exposed to direct sunlight, it can warm that section of the house by several degrees. Cover your windows with heavy blinds at night to keep them better insulated against the cold. Upgrade Your Windows Many older windows are extremely inefficient when it comes to insulating your home. Look for windows with multiple panes of glass and tinting that will help reflect heat back into your home. Certain types of windows, such as casement windows, typically have a tighter seal when they’re closed and do a better job at reducing drafts than double- or single-hung windows. Keep Furniture away from Vents This is another free way to increase your energy efficiency and keep your home warmer during the winter. Take a look around your home and make sure you don’t have furniture or other items placed over your vents or in the way of the flow of warm air. Remind your kids not to let their clothes or toys pile up on vents. Clean Your HVAC System A clean, functional HVAC system keeps your home much warmer than one that is dirty or starting to break down. You’ll also waste hundreds or thousands of dollars over the course of a winter if your system isn’t running efficiently. Hire an HVAC contractor in Eagle, PA, to clean your ducts before the winter season begins to remove dust, dirt, and other debris. He will also inspect your system to make sure it is running properly, making it less likely to break down when you need it most.
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