It’s the cold season and, while it’s normal to feel the cold air outside, no one wants that feeling indoors, where the environment should be warm and welcoming. If the heater and blankets aren’t enough, maybe it’s time to ask: what’s going on? According to the website ‘HuffPost’, windows are often the main cause of a cold, drafty house. According to the United States Department of Energy, 30% of the energy used to heat a home can escape through windows. However, there are other reasons that can make your home feel colder than it should be. According to experts, it is worth identifying and resolving these problems quickly.
Katie Whitaker, founder of New York-based home repair company ‘Handyma’am’, says that one of the most common causes of a cold home is a window air conditioning unit left in place during the winter. “It’s a box designed to move air, so that’s exactly what it does,” he explains. Whitaker recommends removing the unit during cold months to allow the window to close completely.
However, for those who can’t remove the air conditioning – such as tenants with little storage space – there is another solution. “You can buy a weatherproof cover, for indoors and outdoors ”, suggests Whitaker, cited by . “Not only do these covers prevent drafts, they also prevent insects, mold or any unwanted growth from entering the machine.”
If your home has floor vents, make sure they are open. Closing off the vents to an infrequently used room may seem like a good idea, but it actually makes the heating and ventilation system less efficient.
“During the summer, some people close ventilation grilles to reduce cooling in certain spaces and then forget to reopen them in the winter,” explains Shanika Whitehurst, associate director of product sustainability at the organization. ‘Consumer Reports’ . “Then they ask themselves, ‘Why is this room so cold?’” The solution, in these cases, is simple: just reopen the vents.
If your radiator takes a long time to heat up or has some areas that remain cold, it may not be working as it should. Katie Whitaker explains that over time, water build-up inside the radiator reduces the space available for hot steam and air to flow, making heating more efficient. “When this happens, you need to drain the radiator ,” advises Whitaker, a process that usually involves turning off the boiler power and water intake before opening the drain valve.
Another important point: the furniture in front of the radiator can block heat circulation. Shanika Whitehurst recommends moving away sofas or other objects that could prevent heat from distributing throughout the space.
If you use a boiler for heating, it is important to regularly check the air filter. A filter clogged with dust and debris reduces airflow and forces the boiler to work harder to do the same job. “If you still don’t provide the status of your boiler filter, it may be time to clean or replace it,” suggests Whitehurst. Regular maintenance can not only heat your home better but also save on energy bills.
While your home may not have been designed with solar efficiency in mind, you can still take advantage of the sun’s natural warmth. “Opening curtains or blinds during the day allows sunlight to warm the space. At night, close them to help keep the heat out,” recommends Courtney Klosterman, housing expert at ‘Hippo Home Insurance’ . If possible, avoid planting evergreen trees on the south side of the house, as they can block sunlight and make natural heating difficult.
Another common reason for drafts in the home is doors that let air through . If you notice a breeze while sitting at home, follow it to the source. To solve the problem, you can use a draft roller, also known as “sausage” which helps to block these gaps. “You can even make your own ‘sausage’ with old tights filled with rice, sand or beans,” suggests Whitaker.
If there is a draft in a window, you can use plastic films or thermal curtains, which are affordable options to reduce cold air intake.
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