subject: Why Is My House So Cold? Get Me Some Air Sealing! [print this page] If your house has a tendency of becoming cold without retaining much heat at all, it might be time to contact an expert to seal up those air leaks. It becomes clear that when a home never seems to be able to maintain a comfortable temperature that it's more than ready for some repairs.
When an inner tube has a leak it can't function properly whether in the pool during the summer or on the snow in the winter. All year round a little leak wreaks havoc on this inner tube. In the same way that a leak can destroy an inner tube throughout the year, a leak can also increase a homeowner's utility bills and make for a pretty uncomfortable home throughout the year.
Why The Discomfort?
A home can have air leaks in the ducts, windows, attic, and other places including the front door. These leaks are detrimental to the comfort of your home because the air leaking in and out makes your heater or air conditioning unit work much harder to try to keep the home comfortable. Unfortunately the home is more uncomfortable than comfortable.
Did you know that these leaks can actually be mistaken for an open window? That's exactly what it'll feel like inside a home with leaks. And while all the windows are shut and even locked your utility bill reflects a home that wastes heat in the winter and overuses the air conditioner during the summer.
No one wants to waste money while still dissatisfied with the comfort of the home.
What's Causing the Change?
If you can remember a time when your home was more cost efficient and more comfortable, then your home has probably been experiencing the typical wear and tear. Over time, wood shrinks making little pockets for air to escape. Meanwhile other materials expand and contract making for some loose connections instead of helping better seal these connections to keep your home tightly sealed and comfortable.
In addition, homes will always need some kind of work to be done. Not necessarily every day, but at some point in time work will be done on your home. Although the problems will get solved, they just might cause additional little issues-- leaks.
Amongst the electricians, HVAC contractors and plumbers, you'll be sure to find new little holes and crevices for air to leak. While your home has newer wiring, heating ducts, water lines and pipes, it's also having some leaking. Sad day for a once so happy homeowner.
But, there's hope! Your home isn't weak or anything of the sort; it just has some extra little holes. Even though they're small they can sure add up! While those smaller holes are adding up, the larger ones just make things even worse. The plumbers tend to be the cause of these larger gaps seeing as they have to make room for large networks of pipes.
The Solution
Contact your local energy contractor to come and give you an estimate. They'll be able to pin point where your home is losing energy and can provide the necessary repairs. In the case of air leaks, an energy expert will professionally air seal your home and thereby reducing any heating and cooling losses by about 20% or more! Now that's a solution!
In addition, air sealing only has to be done once to actually provide a lifelong fix.
