Cool weather is coming, Kansas City. Before we know it, Old Man Winter will be blowing below-zero gusts down the backs of our necks. But before that happens, you need to take a look at your home and decide if it’s prepared to keep you warm and keep utility bills from skyrocketing when temps plummet. There are some easy ways to check your home for snugness. A+ Insulation created this checklist to follow:
- Bugs – If you find bugs in your house, they’re getting in somewhere. And where bugs get in, air gets in too reducing your home’s energy efficiency. Check around doors and windows, foundations (check for cracks and where the foundation and house come together). You may need to caulk or re-caulk these places.
- Drafts – Drafts are a sure sign of problems. Again, drafts occur mostly around windows and doors, so add weather stripping, draft guards and caulk where needed.
- High Air Conditioning Bills – Believe it or not, if your air conditioning bills are high, your heating bills are likely to be high as well. High AC bills could be a sign of poor insulation, air leaks, or your air conditioner may need a tune-up. Change your filter every month (this will help your furnace in the winter as well) and check for air leaks. Also check your insulation. Insulation settles over time and becomes less efficient. Plus, most homes have the bare minimum amount of insulation added by the builder to meet code requirements. Adding more will make your home more energy efficient.
- Cold Walls/Floors – Are your feet always cold? Do your walls feel cold to the touch in the winter? If so, your home could use more insulation in between the floor joists and the walls.
- Ice Dams/Icicles – If you had ice buildup on your roof last winter, your attic is poorly insulated and vented. An ice dam forms when the roof over the attic gets warm enough to melt the snow. The water trickles down between the snow and the shingles until it reaches the cold eave that extends beyond the side of the house. There, the water freezes, slowly growing into a mound of ice. Better insulation and ventilation will prevent this problem.
An Energy Evaluation Will Reveal Your Home’s Weak Points
The only way to really tell where your home is leaking is to have a home energy evaluation. A home energy evaluation will pinpoint the places that are wasting the most energy. The A+ Insulation team can perform a home energy evaluation for free. We’ll be able to tell you where you can make the changes that will make your home feel cozy and snug this winter. Plus, you’ll lower your energy bills.
It’s free, so call us and get informed about your home’s energy efficiency before winter gets here. Call (913) 281-2250 or (816) 268-7511.