Hi folks! So….unless you live south of the equator, in say Australia, then you may have noticed that it’s winter. Yeah, I know. What, did the cold weather, snow, and ice give it away? Anyway, the good news is that spring is just on the horizon, but until then, you may want to take a few small steps to ensure your Old House is ready to take on winter like a champ!
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Sometimes, our older homes can be drafty and cold, but most can be remedied fairly easily, and in a cost effective manner.
If the cold winter weather hasn’t chilled you to the bone this winter, there is a good chance that your utility bill has, especially with the early winter that most of us have been experiencing all over the globe. Never fear though, throw another log on the fire, check out these warning signs, tips, and a handy winter weather checklist below from our friends over at This Old House:
Winter Weatherproofing Tips
- Door air sealing
- Window air sealing
- Window A/C unit sealing
- Maximizing your heating and managing your heating bill
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/winter-weatherproofing-tips
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/keeping-warm-less
- Also, keep gutters and downspouts CLEAN and CLEAR, and INTACT so ice and snow melt don’t force water in places you don’t want – Roof, decking, behind flashing, etc
- Dont forget to winterize your A/C unit!
Winter Weather Warning Signs
- Listen up, folks! If temperatures are below freezing, snow should not be melting off your roof unless heavy sunlight is present for long times.
- Look for snow melt and/or icicles at the drip edge/eaves/gutters.
- Look for “hot spots” on the roof deck. This could indicate that hot air is escaping from inside the home, and into the attic.
The Fix???
- MORE DETAILED INFO ON AIR SEALING NEXT WEEK!!!
- How to Beat “Old Man” Winter and Put a Few Dollars Back in Your Pocket: Part 2: Air Sealing and Insulation
For more discussion on this topic, post your questions and comments below. See y’all for Part 2, so don’t miss it!
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I need to insulate the original windows in my 1929 home? I don’t wNt to replace them because I am afraid it will ruin the original trim. Any solutions?
Hi Lisa, are you utilizing storm windows in conjunction with your original single pane windows? They are designed to work as a “system” and it provides a conditioned “air gap” and thermal break. Other than that, you can retrofit weatherstrip at the meeting rail in the middle, at the bottom of the sash where it meets the sill, and make sure the side spring bronze is snug against the window and sealing well. POp over to our FB Group as we have many Window Pros and info there!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/myoldhousefix