6 Tips to Stay Warm in Your New Home
By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
1. REPAIRING DRAFTY AND LEAKY WINDOWS
Home windows are probably the main source of heat loss and drafts particularly for vintage homes. When storm windows are available, make sure that they are well installed and that they can fully close without any issues. Use silicone caulk to seal off crevices and holes. Clear away ac units on the windows because the vents on the AC could permit wintry air into the house. Through the use of weather stripping on the wooden windows, you can help seal the gaps that happen to be between the sill and the bottom part of the window frame.
Older 1-pane windows could be causing reduction of heat out of your home. However, plastic sheets or shades can help minimize heat loss. You'll want to make sure that the sheeting is air tight and lower shades overnight to preserve warm air in the home. It is also fundamental for you to open the window shades during the day to benefit from the indirect warmth from the sun.
2. REPAIR DRAFTY DOORS
It is necessary for you to make sure that all your entrance doors close fully and also there is no gap between the frame and the door. You can tell if there are drafts by just moving a lit candle around the door frame to determine if it flickers. If it flickers, this is a straightforward indication that you have drafts. You'll be able to repair the drafts making use of silicone caulk or weather stripping.
3. ADDING INSULATION IN THE ATTIC
Simply by insulating attics, you'll lower the quantity of heat lost out of the roof. This tends to make certain you continually feel snug and cozy. Even though adding insulation can be a little pricey, it will have a fantastic return on your investment.
4. INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
A thermostat will ensure your home is always energy efficient by keeping the bills low. Once you install a programmable thermostat, you don't need to physically set the temperature you find suitable each time you go out and whenever you get back. The thermostat adjusts your home's temperature automatically therefore providing maximum comfort level whenever the home is occupied. It's also possible to set the thermostat to be able to tone down your house's temperature any time nobody is at home.
5. INSULATE OUTLETS
It is simple for someone to disregard electrical outlets and light switches if they are weatherproofing their new residence. Outlets are basically holes in the walls and so they can be quite a reason for heat loss from your home or cool drafts, which explains why you have to check them. Hence, you should ensure that they're insulated. Insulation kits suited for electric outlets and light switches are pre-cut foam insulators that may be mounted behind the wall or switch plates. It's also possible to choose to trim your own insulator foam but make sure that the foam is fire retardant to avoid electrical fires.
6. USE A WATER HEATER BLANKET
A water heater blanket is essentially a blanket installed around your water heater to help prevent heat loss consequently assisting you to spend less on the energy bills. Additionally, it ensures that the water heater keeps a steady temperature.
If you are looking for additional resources on what to do after you move to a new home, get in touch with A-1 Freeman Moving Group, your local moving company in Austin.
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