If you’re feeling the cold, now’s a good time to identify why. Here are some more tips on how to identify areas where your house is losing heat. Find them now, and fix them come summer.
1. Are there areas around doors or windows where you feel cold or a definite draft? Find out where the air’s getting in by moving your hand around the jambs, and make note of these for weatherstripping or caulking attention come the warm weather.
2. A smoke pen (or even a blown-out candle or incense stick) will quickly demonstrate airflow. While the pros pressurize the house before testing this, you can still see where air (that is, heat) is escaping your house, without that step. Blow out a candle or use an incense stick; simply hold it at various locations near windows, doors and other potential culprits. Where the smoke goes, so does your heat.
3. Is the glass itself cold or is there condensation on the windows? Cold glass draws heat away from your body, making you feel colder. These windows need storm windows — or you may want to consider replacing them with energy efficient windows.
4. Get outside and check out the roof. Icicles forming on the north side of the house are more likely from heat escaping through the roof than from snow melted by the sun. Substantial attic insulation is a good idea.
5. Call in the pros. If you’d like to get a professional opinion, call in an inspection service. Some of these offer thermographic inspection, which use thermal imagery cameras to detect faulty areas.
Now bundle up and wait out the winter, knowing next year’s going to be a lot warmer.