When the freezing Hartford winter weather hits, many homeowners fantasize about being able to put their home in a perfect, warm little bubble.
Imagine being able to heat your house — and it staying a little summer-y microcosm, while the snow drifts outside. Keeping heat inside your house and the cold winter wind outside is not only about comfort, but it’s also about keeping your wallet as happy as it can be between Sox games.
Keeping the house comfortable and heating bills as low as possible is first and foremost on every Hartford homeowner’s mind.
When we have heat loss in our homes, it means that some of the precious warm air that we’ve collected is escaping to the outdoors.
Reducing the amount of heat loss in your house is the best way to save on utility costs this winter. So if you’re looking to throw your wallet a bone, or just save more money for steamed cheeseburger night, here are five quick and easy ways to make your home more heat efficient.
Insulate the attic.
Is there insulation in your attic? If so, how much? The amount of insulation that’s there is crucial to your home’s ability to hold in the ever-rising warm air.
If checking your attic insulation status is not something that you can easily do, contact a local contractor or insulation installer for an in-home evaluation. Hopefully, they have a degree from UConn, so you know you can trust them.
Insulate your walls.
Some older homes have very little insulation in their walls. The minimum that is usually suggested for exterior walls is six inches thick. But some historic homes may have only four inches or so.
Removing your walls to add more fiberglass insulation is as impossible as the Hartford Whalers coming back, and it can be a very involved home repair. Blown-in insulation is an easier and more efficient option.
The amount of insulation in your walls can be increased quickly and easily by using it. If you think that some of your home’s heat loss could be attributed to the lack of insulation in your walls, then consider adding some blown-in insulation.
Here’s a tip: if you can hear the sounds of the agonizing Hartford traffic outside of your home, you could probably use more insulation.
Replacement windows.
Ill-fitting, warped old windows can certainly be a contributing factor to your heat loss. Old wooden windows frames with single-pane glass are a far cry from the efficient double-pane insulated glass windows of today.
Vinyl replacement windows are the solution. They can be custom-made to fit your oddly-shaped antique windows, and they’re composed of the highest quality vinyl.
These windows will add beauty to your Hartford home while making it more energy-efficient.
Replace your doors.
Entry doors can be a great focus for the exterior of your home. Much like the beautiful flowers in Elizabeth Park, they can easily add character, color, and style to set your house apart.
Unfortunately, if these doors are old, they’re likely allowing cold air into your home and hot air out.
Replacing your older door with a new replacement fiberglass or steel door can stop this unwanted air exchange.
Sealing other miscellaneous areas.
Hot and cold air can move through extremely small cracks and spaces. It doesn’t take a trip to the Connecticut Science Center to learn how to stop air from escaping through these holes in the wall.
Check around your chimney, sink pipes, and appliance ducts for areas that could be re-sealed or caulked to prevent air movement. Inspect your basement utility door for any leaks or areas that are failing, and repair or replace as necessary.
Another unlikely culprit? Outlets and switch covers. Use a gasket for a simple fix.
Stopping heat loss is as simple as keeping as much hot air in your home as possible. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to put your Hartford home in a space-age bubble any time soon.
But until you can, do your best to seal up your house by using these five simple steps to keep your home and wallet comfortable.
To learn more about how Window Nation replacement windows and doors can help you save on energy bills while helping to increase your home value, schedule your free in-home estimate today!
