Why is it So Cold in My House?
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Imagine this: You feel a chill and set the thermostat to stay nice and toasty. You then curl up on the couch and turn on the TV.
But even with the heater cranked up, the room doesn’t seem to get any warmer.
You reach for a blanket, but still feel cold; it’s just not comfortable and now you can’t even concentrate on the movie because you’re worried about why your home’s so cold and how this will affect your electric bill.
If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t have to imagine any of this. It’s a reality, every fall and winter, like clockwork.
Fortunately, you don’t have to freeze — you just have to know why it’s so cold in there, and take steps to correct the situation.
Here are 5 reasons why your home is cold
1. Cold Air is Leaking Inside
If you feel a draft, it’s because cold air is leaking inside your home and you need to seal your home’s ‘envelope.’ The envelope is the physical barrier that protects the inside, climate-controlled environment from outside weather.
To seal the envelope, go outside, clean any cracks and gaps around windows and door frames, and cover them with a bead of acrylic or polyurethane caulk.
Next, install weatherstripping to seal any gaps in exterior doorways. Here’s a rule of thumb: If, during the day, you see sunshine passing through the side of the door, you need to install weatherstripping or replace old weatherstripping that has failed.
The same rule applies under your doors. If you see daylight passing through, you’ve got a draft, and you can block it with a door sweep or a draft dodger.
A door sweep simply slides under the door — no tools required. It has three key parts: an inner seal to maintain room temperature, an outer seal to black drafts, and fins on the bottom to keep out water.
A draft dodger is a homemade item you can rest against the door to keep out drafts. You just need fabric, filling (like uncooked rice) and basic sewing skills.
2. Your Heating System Doesn’t Cover Your Whole House
If you have a two-story home, just one heating and cooling system won’t cut it. You really need two separate units to control what, essentially, are two separate homes.
Of course, what’s ideal and what’s realistic are often two different things. Having two systems would boost overall comfort on each level, but it also would significantly boost heating costs, and that may not be in your long-term budget.
So, here is a compromise: consider upgrading to a zoned ducted system. You just need one heat pump and as many motor-driven dampers to monitor and control airflow in each zone, whether it’s the kitchen, the living room or the bedrooms.
There’s another benefit to zoned climate control: You can save energy by heating only the spaces that you use.
3. Your Home Needs More Insulation
Insulation has the most impact on your home’s energy efficiency, so it’s important to keep your attic well insulated and keep cold air out of living spaces.
You can know a lot about insulation’s strength by its R-value, which ranges from 2.0 to 8.0 per inch of insulation.
It’s pretty simple: The higher the R-value, the better job the insulation does. Fiberglass and cellulose insulation have R-values of 2.9 to 3.8 per inch while sprayed foam insulation can go as high as 8.0 per inch.
Of course, despite sprayed foam insulation’s high R-value, it’s best to avoid if you live in an area with lots of termites.
In addition to adding insulation, don’t forget the attic’s entry — you can cover it with a tent such as an Attic Stairway Cover.
4. Your Air Filter is Too Old
It’s been said that two things are certain: death and taxes. But really, a third thing should be added to that list: air filter replacements!
Air filters don’t last forever; they require changing or cleaning every so often (usually every 90 days, for optimal efficiency).
Filters trap debris and allergens throughout your ventilation system, but they can’t do their job if they’re clogged. And if that happens, your heating and cooling system simply can’t push air through your ventilation pipes.
The worst-case scenario is straining your A/C and having to buy a new system for $5,000. Even if the situation isn’t that dire, the system just may not do a good job of heating your home.
5. Your Heater Needs Maintenance
You may be able to replace an air filter, but can you clean out the heating and cooling system’s drain hole? Can you check its refrigerant levels? Can you lubricate and inspect all of its parts for functioning?
There are some things that you just have to leave to the experts, and that’s where annual tune-ups come in.
Professional maintenance visits can help you rest assured that your system isn’t just working, but that it is doing so optimally.
If you’ve tried everything else, and your home is still cold, it’s time to call in the experts!
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