Winterizing Your Home
Putting on an addition will open your eyes to the energy and heat you may be losing through the walls of your home. The addition will be so much more energy-efficient than the rest of the house because of the more stringent, upgraded codes in today’s construction world, as well as the attention to energy-saving materials. There are things you can do to make your existing home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Most heating or cooling is lost through the attic, windows, doors, floors and walls of the home. If your home was built more than 10 years ago, it’s probably poorly insulated. Wind may penetrate the siding, making it colder and noisier than if it were properly insulated. You can add insulation or replace windows and doors to increase your energy efficiency. Windows and doors, while expensive at first, become money-savers within the year if they are securely sealed and properly installed. Replacement windows and doors are always a good option.
An attic fan is another energy-saver. In the summer months, the fan will pull heat out of the center of the home. If you reverse the direction of the fan blades in the winter, it will push warm air downward for recirculation. You can tell if the fan is working for winter if the blades are turning clockwise as you look up at the fan.
Finally, foam or cellulous injected into the walls can add to your existing insulation. All will serve to make your home more energy-efficient and warmer all around.
