Cold Snap: Weatherizing for Winter
Winter is here. Is your home ready?
When done properly, simple weatherization projects can save you as much as $350 on your heating bills. These tips will help you save energy without costing an arm and a leg or requiring that you alter – or throw out – the character-defining elements of your home. Planning more extensive projects? Check out our contractor map to locate old-building-friendly professionals in your area.
Start with an Audit – The Good Kind
Weatherization is a "whole house" approach that equips your home with everything it needs to be more energy efficient. A thorough energy audit is step one in achieving that. Don't fret if you think that sounds intimidating – home energy auditors know best and want to help. Overall, audits aid homeowners in identifying problem areas – big and small – and in setting goals and priorities. Be sure to ask for a blower door test to help determine your home's air tightness. Also, do some research. Many local utility companies and state energy agencies now offer audits for free or at minimal cost to help homeowners target leaks and identify cost effective options for sealing them.
Use Your Building's "Built-In" Assets
What's the best type of tip? One that's already done, of course! Older and historic buildings are inherently designed for energy conservation and to respond to different regional environments. For instance, overhanging roofs, porches, awnings, and shutters can provide insulation, while thick walls provide thermal mass and buffering. Large, operable windows provide natural light and promote air circulation, while mature landscaping provides a barrier from the cold. Features like these should be thought of as the "built-in" bonuses of older and historic buildings. All you have to do is recognize and protect them.
Give Your Windows an Energy Boost
Add storm windows to help your older windows perform better. As the name suggests, storm windows protect your interior windows from storm damage, serving as a shield and a barrier. More importantly, they provide an additional layer of insulation from the elements. Today, a lot of options exist for exterior and interior storm windows. Most can be made to fit virtually any window opening and type. Aluminum storm window assemblies are the most common, but vinyl, fiberglass, composites, and wood assemblies are also options. And you don't have to sacrifice style or ease of operation; if you have an unusual window opening or experience difficulty finding a storm window/screen assembly that suits your needs, try a storm window specialty company.
Fix the Problem Up in the Attic
As much as 30% of warm air (the air we want to keep inside during colder seasons) escapes through your attic. Luckily, this is also the place that is, arguably, the easiest and most cost effective to insulate. Ideally, you want your attic space to be the same temperature as the outside. If it gets too warm, you'll waste money heating the outside and you're more likely to have problems with ice dams. It's possible to install insulation yourself, but you might want to hire a professional, especially when handling cellulose- or fiberglass-based products. A professional can also help you achieve proper ventilation. Natural insulation materials such as wood, plant fiber, or wool are recommended for attics because they are breathable.
Keep a Tight "Lid"
Your roof is only one part of the energy efficiency equation. Keeping a tight "lid" on your home is important for blocking out water and moisture infiltration that can quickly lead to costly repairs if left unchecked. Assess your roofing materials and determine if they can make it through another winter. Inspect flashing and other points of entry where water damage can occur and where warm air can escape. Your roof can also be a good indicator for how well your home is doing with energy loss. Consider the melt test: Is snow melting more quickly on your roof compared to other nearby homes? Different patterns of snow melt and the formation of icicles and ice dams might indicate air leaks and inadequate insulation. One quick and easy thing to do is to clean out your gutters to ensure that water can flow off and away from your home.
Check Your Systems Early and Often
It's not unreasonable to want to feel comfortable in your home in the winter without freezing or having to wear multiple layers of clothing. Your older or historic building is going to operate differently than a modern building, so you should take deliberate steps to improve its conditions. First and foremost, make sure you investigate the many low cost and minimally invasive passive heating strategies before opting for a new system. Service your furnace each fall and be sure to change out filters regularly to maximize airflow and the efficiency of your heater. Or, consider a zoned heating system with separate controls for spaces. Installing a programmable thermostat can keep your home warm when you're there and cooler while you're away. Also, close your damper when your fireplace is not in use to avoid major heat loss.
Reuse Rather than Replace Windows
Thinking about replacing your windows? You might want to rethink your options. Windows are an easy target and are all too often blamed for energy loss. However, only 10-25% of energy loss actually comes from windows. People commonly jump to replace their historic windows because companies promise that their replacement windows will save them time and money, and that their products and services are the "green" thing to do. In fact, a thriving industry has grown around the perceived need to consume and replace rather than to reuse. However, your old windows are probably more cost effective than they appear. Many windows that have been on the job for 50 or 100 years can continue to do so when maintained, weatherstripped, and combined with a storm window.
Don't Be a Draft Dodger – Seal Instead
At some point we've all felt it: Older and historic homes can be drafty. Luckily, there are easy ways to detect and seal holes and gaps throughout your home. Take advantage of the next cold and/or windy day by going hunting for draft-causing leaks and holes. Consider the smoke test: Use a lit incense stick and note where the smoke travels. If it goes horizontal, you've probably located a source of a leak. Know that the primary culprits are usually ductwork and holes in the attic, around pipes, and at electrical outlets. For even better draft prevention, use weatherstripping along doors and windows to block out the cold and to form tight fitting bonds.
Break Out the Caulk Gun
It's more important than ever to caulk around your home's windows and doors when the temperature drops in colder months. It may seem like a small step, but this low-cost fix (a tube of caulk will only set you back about five bucks) will increase the comfort of your home and deliver a big bang for your buck. All you need is a steady hand. Start by scraping away any loose or cracked caulk to create a clean surface to work with. Then, with a caulk gun, form a tight bead of caulk along the edges of the surfaces, filling any openings or cracks. Next, with your finger, press the caulk down into the openings and smooth to seal the cracks. Once it sets up, you're ready to prime and paint.
Decorate for the Winter
'Tis the season...for window treatments. From trimming the tree to blinding the neighbors, this time of year is all about decorations. While you're in the spirit of making your home cheery and bright for the holidays, consider a few design choices that will help boost its visual appeal and its energy efficiency. For instance, insulating shades, shutters, heavy blinds, and lined drapes all help your windows perform better by blocking the cold and preventing heat loss. Additionally, insulating cellular shades offer many options in terms of design and flexibility while providing a low-cost barrier during the cold winter season.
While these tips and strategies are a good place to start for any homeowner, there's so much more that can be done to make your home a more comfortable and energy efficient place to live. Check out our weatherization guide for more food for thought and our contractor map for old-building-friendly professionals your area.
