The holiday song says it’s cold outside, but in your case, the inside of your house has the chill factor. Sure, there may not be snow, but when you’re sitting in a home that’s usually bitterly cold, it’s very easy to find this a most miserable way to live! The reasons for your home being cold vary, and whether you are trying to choose between heating’ and eating’, you need to figure this out! A house should be comfortable on the inside, cozy to snuggle down into and you should be able to relax inside it. The thing is, if you’re still feeling cold to your bones when you are wrapped in your duvet burrito, and you’re adding more layers every day, there is a problem.
The winter rolls around pretty quickly and we’re about to head into the two coldest months of the year (depending on where you are in the world). You should be able to enjoy living in your house, but the worst thing is if the heating is on and the blankets are on, and you still feel as if the cold is permeating your bones! You need to figure out why your house is so cold, and we’ve put together some of the most popular reasons your home is bitingly cold, so that you can fix it at last.
To The Windows…
The windows of the house may not be particularly old, but that doesn’t mean that they’re any good. Wooden frames around the window are a total nuisance when it comes to managing draughts, and single-glazed windows are renowned for losing heat. The best solution here is two-fold: dressing your windows with curtains and blinds, and swapping out those single windows for double-glazing will do the job of keeping you warm. You want to improve the heat loss from your windows and these two tricks are the best ones you can have up your sleeve. If you haven’t got the budget to change out the windows or buy and hang curtains, window film is an effective resource. You can cover all your windows in this film, and it’ll insulate the windows for you. The only issue is that you can’t open the windows with the film on, which isn’t so bad in the winter!
A Draughty Day
A big source of cold in the home are draughts. Through the cracks in the walls, through the door jambs and through the window panes, even through the chimney! Did you know that draughts can come in through the letterbox in the door? There are so many places a draught can come in, and even when you think they’ve all been plugged up, you realize that roof shingles haven’t been replaced in a while. You need to make sure that you have Certainteed shingles in place to coer any missing shingles. If your home is not sealed correctly and if the roof is broken because of storms, you are going to be dealing with cold draughts through the house. You can use draught excluders and use caulk to plug some of the gaps around doors and windows. You can even lay rugs down so that basement draughts don’t come up through the floor.
Ice & Fire
Fireplaces are a prime place of cold air coming into the house. You may not be able to block the bottom of the fireplace without plastering the opening, but you can use glass doors or a panel in front of them. You can also buy magnetic strips to cover the vents and this will be easily removable when you want to use the fire. Some people choose to buy balloons to insert up into the chimney so that you can block out the cold air. If your fireplace goes unused no matter the season, you need to think about sealing out the chimney entirely.
Keep Bleeding
Radiators need to be bled every time you’re going to turn them on. They shouldn’t be blocked or covered if you want the heat to permeate the room. Don’t put furniture in front of the radiator ever, otherwise the efficiency of your central heating will be compromised. Some people like to put some foil down the back of the radiator, as this can reflect the heat out into the room, but it’s not the safest way to do it. You want to ensure that if your radiators are slow to get warm in the day, you power flush your central heating. This will get rid of any built-up sludge and keep your radiators working nicely.
Keep Your Thermostats On A Timer
One of the best ways to keep your home warm is to put your thermostat on a timer. It’s not cheap to keep your heating on all day long despite what people tell you. If the weather is cold, set the timer a little earlier so that it’s ready for when you get out of bed. You want efficiency, and this is a good way to do it!
To The Floors…!
Did you know that 10% of heat loss in your home escapes through the flooring? Wooden flooring can be deceptively cold and the heat will be lost compared to having carpet laid down. Tiled floors are even colder, and so it’s time to invest in that underfloor heating system you’ve considered before. Skirting boards and floorboards can shift through the day, so fill the gaps to keep them steady.
Add More Insulation
Adding insulation to the loft is a smart way to ensure that the loft space isn’t leaking cold air. Professional insulation may be a little much, but it’s a DIY job that you could see would be more beneficial! With just a few rolls of fibreglass insulation, your attic could be warmer than you could imagine.
You deserve a house that’s comfortable, and these are the ways to do it. Take your time and try them all if necessary, you won’t regret it! NO more cold draughts!
Please note that some of the links above and below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.
