If you live in an older home, your insulation may need some work this winter.

Lower Your Winter Heating Bills By Inspecting Insulation

October 20th, 2016 by

If you live in an older home, your insulation may need some work this winter.

If you live in an older home, it may not be as well-insulated as you would like. Even if your rooms are relatively comfortable in the coldest months of the year, the house may still be leaking a significant amount of heat, costing you money every month. 

How do you know if this is affecting your home? Here are some insulation problems to look for this winter:

  • Watch the roof: After the next snowstorm, look up. A well-insulated roof should be able to hold snow without melting it from below. If the snow on your roof does melt faster than that of your neighbors, you may need to replace the insulation.
  • Feel for drafts: Check around windows and exterior doors for cold air seeping in. As homes age and settle, sometimes these don't fit as well as they did when they were first installed. Don't be afraid to install weather stripping, or plastic sheeting over particularly drafty windows.
  • Maintain a consistent temperature: If you notice any wild swings in temperature between rooms, this could be a sign that some insulation needs to be replaced. 

Failing to address cold spots and draftiness can force your furnace to work harder than it otherwise would. This will not only reduce its expected life span, but also cost you more money in your monthly heating bills. Plus, you'll be less comfortable when deep freezes occur.

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