When you live in New England, you know that winter is a long and cruel season. You will be put to the test, battling the elements at every turn. But at the end of the day, you should be able to return to a cozy home.
But what if your house isn’t the refuge from the cold that it should be? It’s time to fight back and kick Old Man Winter out with these drafty house solutions. But why is he there to begin with?
Why Is My House So Drafty?
There are many reasons why your house is losing heat. Keep an eye out for these culprits:
- Your windows and doors may be outdated. Older building materials simply weren’t as efficient at keeping the warm air inside. Massachusetts homeowners will do well to invest in 2 or 3 paned-windows.
- Even in newer homes, poorly sealed windows may be letting warm air right outside.
- Changes in temperature and humidity can make old wooden or vinyl doors expand and contract, meaning you no longer have an air tight seal. Doors can also sag on their hinges over time; if your doors don’t fit properly fitting in the door frame, air can escape.
- Newer doors may not be hung properly, leaving space for warm air to get out and for winter cold to get in.
- Other small cracks throughout your home may be allowing air to escape.
Four Drafty House Solutions
Now that you know some of the reasons your home is drafty, what can you do to fix it? Here are a few easy tips for keeping that warm air inside.
Bonus Reading: Download our winterization guide chockfull of 30+ energy-saving tips.
1. Seal your windows
If your windows are letting the warm air outside, it might be time to learn how to seal them. This can be done fairly easily with a trip to your local home improvement store. Pick up some caulking or weatherstripping, and get to work.
But what if you feel like you’re in over your head when it comes to sealing them? There are easier alternatives. Buy shrink plastic online or in home improvements stores. Simply mount the film on your window frame, then blow dry it for an air tight seal. Be aware, however, that this is a temporary fix; if you want to rely on shrink wrap, this process will have to be done every winter.
2. Get some thick curtains
Another great way to stop warm air from escaping through those pesky windows is to hang thick curtains. You can buy insulated ones, or make your own using old wool blankets.
Pro Tip: Open the curtains during the day to allow the sun to heat your home, and close them at night to keep that warm air inside!
3. Buy–or make–door draft stoppers
While windows can be a huge area of heat loss, your doors are not free of blame. If you are losing heat through doors, consider using a door draft stopper. These insulators are made to fit along the bottom of your door, keeping air from escaping through those small cracks. You can go out and buy one, or you can make your own if you feel creative.
4. Schedule your no-cost Mass Save home energy assessment
With a home energy assessment from Wattson Home Solutions, a technician will work with you to find all of the areas of heat loss within your home. A big part of this is the blower door test, which will help determine where heat is escaping and energy is being lost in your home. Wattson Home Solutions can give you recommendations for air sealing and insulation, and we can even perform these services for you. With the Mass Save 0% HEAT loan, which we can help you apply for, you can even get a rebate on these services.
Let’s Get Started
Are you ready to put those cold, drafty winters behind you? Call Watson Home Solutions today to schedule your no-cost home energy assessment and to find all of the ways you can warm your house and save money doing it.
