Homes lose heat and ac in a number of ways. By knowing where air leaks are occurring, you can insulate these areas of your home and trap the treated air inside the house.
This could help to reduce your energy bills in the winter by keeping your home warmer longer, preventing the need to reach for the thermostat as often. Conversely, it also seals in the cooled air in the hottest season.
Now could be the perfect time to invest in insulation – summer is the cheapest time to insulate due to the lower demand. Below are just some of the areas of your home that can benefit from insulation.
Heat and AC Seepage Points Every Homeowner Should Know
1 – Roof
25% of the heat and ac produced in your home will escape through an uninsulated roof. This is because heat naturally rises. By insulating your roof, you can trap this heat in your home.
There are two main types of insulation that you can opt for – warm loft insulation and cold loft insulation. Warm loft insulation involves insulating the ceiling of the loft so that the loft remains warm (useful if you want to use your loft as a liveable space), while cold loft insulation involves only insulating the floor of the loft so that the loft remains cold. Some of the methods of insulation you can use include mineral wool, wood fiber roll, insulation boards, or spray-on insulation foam.
A damaged roof will further cause heat to escape. Make sure that any cracks or holes are sealed up.
2 – Walls
Your house loses 35% of heat and ac through uninsulated walls. If your walls contain any cracks, this could further increase heat loss.
There are several ways to insulate the walls. If your walls have a cavity, the best option is to fill this cavity with mineral wool or insulation foam. If not, you can apply insulation boards to the inside of the walls.
Any cracks should be filled with caulk or professionally sealed up to prevent heat escaping.
3 – Windows
10% of heat loss occurs through uninsulated windows. This can be through the glass or through the frame.
There are many features that you can look into to prevent heat loss including double or triple glazing and aluminum or fiberglass frames. An energy-efficient window should always have a low U value rating. Sites like Window Wire can allow you to better understand these ratings, while also allowing you to browse through various designs. You should always hire a professional to install windows – poorly-fitted windows could contain gaps or cause cracks, which will cause heat to escape.
Be wary that there are a number of DIY methods of insulation that you can try if you’re on a tight budget including adding window insulating film or use thermally insulating curtains.
4 – Doors
Heat can also be lost through doors. This could be through gaps around the door or through the door itself.
Fiberglass doors are some of the best options for preventing heat loss. You should make sure that the frame fits snugly and that the gap between the door and frame has a seal to prevent any heat or ac from escaping. This guide at Simple Most offers more tips on insulating doors.
5 – Floor
The final area in which heat can be lost is the floor. Heat and ac specialists estimate that you lose 10% of your heat and ac here if you don’t insulate the floors.
The best form of insulation to use depends on the type of home you have. In newer homes, it may be possible to simply add a fibreboard underlay under the floor. In older homes that may contain a raised floor, you may have to insulate the crawl space beneath with mineral wool or a spray-on material.
Finally, carpeting your floor could also help to provide insulation.
The Bottom Line: Deal With Heat and AC Leaks
So do you think you have heat and ac loss? Then, be sure to check with your power provider–they often offer free energy audits to help you identify opportunities for improvements. Then, once you make the required fixes, you’ll reap great savings on your monthly energy bills.
She has a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education/English and a Spanish Minor. In addition, she holds a Certificates in Natural Health and Herbology from accredited programs. She pursued these natural wellness certifications due to her love for herb gardening.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
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