If living in New England teaches us anything, it’s that preventing heat loss makes all of the difference between a comfortable home and a cold one. Several factors go into keeping your home warm and safe during the cold winter months. For older houses, some, if not all of these factors come into play. Heat loss affects not only your comfort but also increases your heating costs. Avoid these concerns by following these suggestions.
CHECK INSULATION
One of the biggest culprits for heat loss in any home is faulty insulation. Insulation helps reduce the heat transfer from the outside air into the home. If the insulation in your home has not been recently inspected and you consistently find that your home does not hold the heat as well as it used to, it’s time to get it looked at. If possible, take advantage of some of the offers available through a MassSave Energy Assessment.
INVEST IN CURTAINS
Cold air can enter your home through the windows, and one simple way to address this issue is to invest in some solid, heavy-duty curtains. Curtains not only provide privacy, but they also act as a barrier between the outside air and your home. This is especially useful for high traffic areas like the living or dining room.
SEAL WINDOWS AND DOORS
As said above, windows are often responsible for heat loss in many cases. The same goes for doors, especially if there are cracks or holes underneath the frame. With older windows – and even newer ones – cracks in the top or sides of the windows can result in hot air escaping and cold air getting in. This is why paying attention to seal windows and doors can make such a big difference in preventing heat loss. If your budget doesn’t allow for window replacements, look into other sealing options in the meantime. For a simple DIY option, cover the panes with bubble wrap – at least until you can have a more permanent solution!
RADIATORS
Have you noticed that one particular room in your home suddenly stops adequately heating the space? If you have several heating zones in your house, there may be an issue with air getting into the pipes from the water heater to the radiator. This is common with older baseboard and/or radiator heating systems. If this is an issue, schedule a service call with us. One of our technicians can inspect your heating lines and “bleed” the pipes to get rid of the air if need be. If you have a service plan, this service is covered, so don’t wait!
Whether you want to schedule a service call to inspect your heating system or discuss these or options to prevent heat loss, call Alves Fuels today. Our goal is to keep you and your family comfortable, safe, and warm – no matter what season or circumstance.
