This winter, keep the heat in your home
Article published in Northampton Living
(December 2020)
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR
KEITH GUYER
Custom Carpentry
+1 413 768 0607 facebook.com/KeithGuyerCustomcarpentry
Winter is coming and if this year continues the trend from years past, we may be looking at a crazy, cold, and snowy future. With the cold and snow comes the expense of heating our homes. Just like taxes, it is best to pay as little as possible. These are my top three tips to keep the heat in your house and money in your pocket.
1. Lock your windows.
Especially if you have newer windows, the seals are pressurized to keep air out. By locking your windows you put that needed pressure on the seals.
2. Seal any air leaks from the top down.
Most people understand that heat rises. But many don’t understand how that affects your home. As heat rises and travels upstairs, the pressure increases. Any crack or opening will let air pass through. The colder it is outside, the faster you’re losing your heat as it tries to escape to the lower pressure. As air goes out the top it pulls cold air in from lower points. So the more holes you can fill, the slower air will pass through your house.
3. Control the air that comes in.
A healthy house has to bring in fresh air. Most homes have bathroom fans and range hoods that are capable of doing this, but if the house is all buttoned up where does the air come in from? The negative pressure in the house will be balanced through all those little holes I mentioned before or may actually pull air down your chimney even if the system is running. You can control this process by simply opening a window when you need to use your fans. It is best to pick a window across the house from the fan, but not in the direct path of anyone who might feel a draft. The air exchange is important and the new cold air that comes in will be warmed quickly by the thermal mass of the house and your heating system.
With just a few conscious actions you can take some greater control over the heating of your home and the health of your family
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