Chilly drafts are unfortunately common, and they can make your indoor environment uncomfortable. Regardless of the age of your home and where you live, drafts can be problematic. Rather than suffering through winters feeling chilled to the bone in your home, you can enjoy a warmer, cozier environment by taking a few steps. Each of these tips can directly combat drafts in important ways.
Service Your Heating System
There are many aspects of your heating system that can impact its efficiency and effectiveness. For example, damaged ductwork can result in uneven heating in the home. In some cases, an older furnace that has not been well-maintained may no longer have the ability to adequately heat the entire home. A smart step is to schedule a heating system inspection. Through an inspection, you can learn about your system’s current condition and about any recommended repair or maintenance work that could help your furnace to work more effectively.
Reseal Doors and Windows
Many drafts are caused by air leaks in door and window seals. These seals are essential for keeping heated air inside the home and cold air from penetrating into your space. Unfortunately, seals deteriorate quickly, and they may need to be replaced as frequently as each year. Because of this, an important part of annual home maintenance involves resealing all doors and windows throughout your home. In addition to helping you remain more comfortable, this could also keep energy costs lower throughout the year.
Upgrade Wall and Attic Insulation
Insulation is often overlooked in relation to drafts. After all, it is easy to assume that the insulation installed in your home originally should continue to be effective. However, the quality of the original insulation may be questionable or unknown. Its condition may have also deteriorated over the years. Schedule an insulation inspection for your home to determine if any additional insulation needs to be added or if all of the insulation should be replaced. Depending on the condition, type and placement of current insulation, you may enjoy impressive benefits by taking this step.
Chilly drafts in the winter also often mean warm pockets of air in your home in the summer months. These issues affect your comfort as well as your energy costs, and they can be directly addressed. Because each of these steps may improve your home in different ways, it is important to explore all possibilities for improving indoor comfort and energy efficiency rather than only pursuing one option.
