If you feel the need to bundle up the second you get out of bed to brave the elements inside your home, you might have a problem. There’s only so much a roaring fire and a heavy blanket can do to keep you warm and toasty.
This winter, take a look at your windows, doors and walls to see if a little insulation can help you save on your home heating costs.
What About Windows?
If you live in an older home, drafty windows are likely the source of many heating problems. If you wake up with frost obscuring your view outside or can actually feel chilly air seeping in when you walk by the windows, you might benefit from extra insulation.
You can use a hairdryer to shrink-wrap plastic to windows. However, replacing your drafty windows is the most cost-effective way to stay warm this winter and the many winters to come.
RBA’s windows utilize a revolutionary material called Fibrex®. This material blocks thermal transfer about 700 times better than aluminum windows, which in turn helps you reduce the cost of your heating and cooling bills. Fibrex® is an excellent insulator, and can really make a difference in the temperature of your home during the winter months!
Drafty Doors
Doors are another spot that heat can easily escape. Over time, doors can warp because of heat and humidity and normal wear and tear. Eventually, they might not close as tightly as they once did, allowing cold air to come in through the gaps.
Consider updating your front door if your budget allows. A new door can be fitted to your existing frame. You can also use weather stripping kits or draft snakes under the door to stop problem leaks.
Wall to Wall
Insulation standards have greatly improved through the years. Anyone who watches home design shows has seen what lurks inside the walls of older homes. Sometimes plaster or drywall would go up right over the concrete block of a home’s outside walls.
If you suspect your home is lacking in insulation, you can install a thick, new layer of traditional fiberglass product in your attic. Or try calling a local contractor to get a price quote on spray foam insulation, which can be installed with minimal damage to existing walls.
Photo: mike appel
