6 Tips to Stay Warm in Your New Home
By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
1. FIXING DRAFTY AND LEAKY WINDOWS
Windows can be the primary cause of heat loss and drafts especially for older houses. If storm windows are on hand, make sure that they are adequately installed and they can completely close without any trouble. Use silicone caulk to seal cracks and spaces. Clear away air conditioning units in the windows because the vents on the AC will let wintry air into your house. By applying weather stripping on the wooden windows, you can help seal the gaps that happen to be between the sill and the bottom of the window frame.
Old 1-pane windows could be creating reduction of temperature out of your home. Even so, plastic sheets or window shades can help prevent heat loss. You'll want to ensure that the sheeting is air tight and bring down shades during the night to preserve heated air inside the house. Additionally it is necessary that you open the shades during the day to benefit from the indirect warmth from the sun.
2. DEAL WITH DRAFTY DOORS
It is important for you to make sure that all your doors shut fully and also there's no space between the frame and the door. You'll be able to tell if there are drafts by moving a lit candle around the door frame to find out whether it flickers. If it flickers, that is a distinct sign that you have drafts. You'll be able to patch the drafts using silicone caulk or weather stripping.
3. ADDING INSULATION IN THE ATTIC
Simply by insulating attics, you can help in reducing the quantity of heat lost out of the roof. This will ensure that you constantly feel toasty and cozy. Although increasing insulation could be a little expensive, it's going to have a great return on your investment.
4. INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
A thermostat will assure your house remains energy efficient by keeping the bills low. When you put in a programmable thermostat, you don't need to personally set the temperature you find suitable every time you go away and when you get back home. The thermostat adjusts your residence's temperature promptly hence supplying optimum comfort level if the residence is occupied. You may also set the thermostat to be able to reduce your home's temperature when nobody is at home.
5. INSULATE OUTLETS
It is simple for someone to ignore electric outlets and light switches when they're weatherproofing their new house. Outlets are basically holes in the walls and they could be a source of heat loss from your home or cold drafts, which explains why you need to inspect them. Hence, you need to make sure that they've been insulated. Insulation kits used on outlets and light switches are pre-cut foam insulators that can be fixed behind the wall or switch plates. You may even choose to trim your own insulator foam but make sure that the foam is fire retardant to avoid electrical fires.
6. UTILIZE A WATER HEATER BLANKET
A water heater blanket is basically a blanket put around your water heater to help minimize heat loss thus allowing you to trim expenses on the energy bills. Additionally, it ensures that the water heater keeps a steady temperature.
Should you be looking for further resources about what to do after you move to a new residence, get a hold of A-1 Freeman Moving Group, your local moving company in Killeen.
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