The inside of your home should be warm and cozy during the wintertime, not cold and drafty. If you are having to bundle up inside your home to stay warm, it's time to do something about it. Fix up your drafty home with these tips to stay warm all winter long.
Check Your Windows and Doors for Leaks
Cold, windy weather can cause cold air to enter your home through leaks, cracks, and gaps around doors and windows. Inspect each window and door for issues. Leaks can be repaired by using foam, vinyl, or silicone weather stripping around each window or door. This is simple to install on your own. If your windows are cracked, chipped, or older than 20 years, you may consider replacing them with double-pane windows that can help keep temperatures in the home stable.
Use Door Sweeps
Gaps under the doors can allow cold drafts to seep in, cooling the temperature considerably. Door sweeps can be installed on the bottom of the doors that close this gap. This will help keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside where it belongs.
Install a New Furnace
If your furnace is more than a decade old, chances are it isn't heating your home as efficiently as it could. Most furnaces last between 15 and 20 years. If your furnace has had frequent repairs, isn't warming the home as it should, or you have noticed that your gas or electric bills have increased, you may consider a new furnace installation. Modern furnaces are made to heat homes more efficiently than ever before, keeping your home warm and lowering your utility bills.
Insulate the Attic and Walls
A cost-effective way to keep your home warm is by insulating the attic and in-between the walls. There are two types of insulation: fiberglass and cellulose. Fiberglass insulation is extremely cost-effective and is weather-proof, while cellulose insulation is less efficient and is not moisture-resistant. Because attics can be a huge source of heat loss during the winter, insulating the attic and inner walls during the summer and fall months can keep your home warm all winter long. Insulation can also help reduce utility bills because it takes less energy to warm a home that is well-insulated.
Don't be miserable this winter in a cold and drafty home. Take steps now to prepare your home for the cold winter months and enjoy the cold season from the comfort of your warm home.