My House Always Feels Freezing Cold. What’s Wrong with It?

Here are some common energy efficiency issues that lead to a chilly house.

Does it feel like your furnace runs all the time, but your house still feels chilly all winter? The problem could be that your old furnace seriously lacks energy efficiency. Or maybe the furnace just needs a little TLC. But it’s possible that the problem has nothing to do with the furnace at all. There is a chance that your home’s energy efficiency is the cause of your freezing cold house.

The first thing to consider is the age of your home. If your house was built even just a couple decades ago, there’s an excellent chance that your insulation is inadequate. Newer homes have plenty of insulation with a high R-value, which is a measurement of the material’s insulating effectiveness. In addition, new homes often have radiant barriers installed underneath the roof to provide added insulating properties.

Windows also seem to struggle with energy efficiency over time. Thin, old window panes and leaky seals can let warm air out of the house surprisingly fast. A third thing to check in older homes is weather stripping around and under doors. Window seals and weather stripping are fairly easy to replace if they seem to be worn or missing.

Leaky air ducts are another common cause of heat loss. This is especially true if air ducts run through a garage, crawl space, or attic. Ducts can become leaky over time due to pest or water damage, lack of maintenance, or they simply could have been installed incorrectly. Having your air ducts inspected and repaired by a HVAC professional is a good way to increase your home’s energy efficiency.

The very best way to determine the causes of your chilly house is to call a HVAC professional. He or she can assess your home’s energy efficiency and recommend ways to improve the comfort level in your home.

Click to schedule your Oxford, NC home’s energy efficiency audit today, or call Brummitt Heating and Cooling 919-693-5536.