❄️ How to Keep Winter Where It Belongs… OUTSIDE! ❄️
by Dan Bomar – Comfenergy
When winter arrives 🌨️, many homes suffer from drafts 💨, uneven temperatures 🌡️, and rising heating bills 💸. It’s not just the cold outside—it’s what’s happening inside your home 🏠. Heat escapes through gaps in walls, windows, floors, and ceilings, while cold air sneaks in just as easily ❄️.
Why Your Home Feels Cold (Even With the Heat On) 🥶
Cold air often enters through weak spots in your building envelope 🏚️—the barrier between inside and outside. Common causes include:
• Gaps around windows, doors 🚪, and attic hatches
• Poorly insulated attics, walls, and crawl spaces 🧱
• Vented crawl spaces or unfinished basements 🏠
• Leaky ductwork or HVAC vents 💨
• Worn weather stripping 🪟
Even small leaks add up, letting warm air escape 🌡️ and cold air creep in ❄️.
Want to Know Exactly Where the Leaks Are? 🔍
A home performance audit 🏡 is a great tool to see exactly where your home is losing heat. Through air leakage testing and inspections, it identifies hidden gaps behind walls, above ceilings, and under floors, so you know exactly what needs fixing 🛠️.
How to Keep the Cold Air Out 🛡️
1. Air Sealing ✋
Seal air leaks around windows, doors, attic hatches, plumbing penetrations, and recessed lights to eliminate drafts 💨 and retain warmth 🔥.
2. Insulation Upgrades 🧱
Insulation acts as a thermal barrier, keeping heat inside your home 🌡️ and helping maintain consistent indoor temperatures. Upgrading under-insulated attics, walls, and basements makes your home warmer and more energy efficient 🌍.
3. Crawl Space & Basement Treatment 🏚️
Vented crawl spaces and unfinished basements are major sources of cold air intrusion ❄️. Sealing and insulating these areas, and adding vapor barriers where needed, can dramatically reduce heat loss from below your living space.
4. Duct Sealing & Insulation 💨
Leaky or uninsulated ducts lose a surprising amount of heated air before it reaches your rooms. Sealing and insulating ducts ensures your HVAC system works efficiently ⚡ and your home stays consistently warm 🔥.
5. Ensure Heating Systems Are Ready ⚙️
A well-maintained heating system 🛠️ is the backbone of a comfortable home in winter ❄️. Schedule a professional inspection and tune-up of your furnace, boiler, or heat pump. Changing filters, cleaning ducts, and addressing any issues ensures your system runs safely and efficiently, preventing breakdowns during the coldest days 🏡.
The Payoff: A Warmer, Healthier, More Efficient Home 🌟
Keeping cold air out means you can:
• Lower energy bills 💸
• Reduce strain on your heating system 🛠️
• Improve indoor air quality 🌬️
• Minimize moisture & mold risks 💧
• Enjoy consistent temperatures throughout your home 🌡️
Stay Warm Without Wasting Energy 🔥
You don’t need to crank up the heat 🔥 to stay comfortable this winter ❄️. With a home performance audit 🏡 and targeted upgrades like air sealing, insulation, and duct repair, you can keep the cold outside—where it belongs ❄️.
Comfort, efficiency, and peace of mind 🕊️ start with a well-sealed home 🏠.
