Keeping your home and property insulated

Keeping your home and property insulated from the cold is beneficial in a number of ways.  We don’t always pay attention to the subject.  Most working families with 1+ children have a very busy and demanding daily schedule that sometimes keeps us from carrying out simple but advisable routine maintenance of our homes.

Several reasons why heat can be lost in a home. Some common reasons are connected to Poor insulation: If a home is not properly insulated, heat can escape through the walls, roof, and windows.  Further, leaky windows and doors can allow cold air to enter the home, making it feel colder than it should and when windows are left open, heat will naturally escape from the home.  

Especially in cities when we are using mainly central heating methods to heat up the house, an open fireplace can be a major source of heat loss if it is not properly sealed.  The kitchen and bathroom need our attention, the heat and moist air produced by cooking and showering can too contribute to heat loss if it is not properly ventilated.

To prevent heat loss, it is important to properly insulate a home, seal any drafts, and ventilate areas where heat is produced.  

If heat is lost from a building, it can have several implications. Some of the potential effects of heat loss will increase energy bills since the heating system has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.  When heat is lost from a building, certain rooms may become colder than others. This can be uncomfortable for the occupants of the home.

Condensation and mould will persist If a home is not properly ventilated, and moisture from cooking, showering, and other activities can build up. This can lead to condensation and potentially the growth of mould, which can be harmful to health.  In extreme cases, heat loss can cause the structural components of a building to become damaged. This can include the warping of wood and metal components, as well as the expansion and contraction of materials.

To avoid these implications, it is important to properly insulate and seal a building to prevent heat loss.

There are several steps you can take to improve heat retention in your home. Some of the most effective ways to prevent heat loss include are to insulate your home.  Proper insulation can help to prevent heat from escaping through the walls, roof, and windows of your home. This can include adding insulation to the attic and walls, as well as sealing any gaps or cracks where heat may escape.  Sealing Drafty windows and doors that will allow cold air to enter your home, making it feel colder than it should. To prevent this, you can seal any gaps around windows and doors with weather-stripping or caulk.

Keeping closed windows and doors is the easiest way to prevent heat loss, simply close windows and doors when the weather is cold. This can help to keep the warm air inside your home, where it belongs.  Window covering such as curtains and blinds can help to insulate your windows, preventing heat from escaping. In addition, heavy curtains can help to block cold air from entering through the windows.

Nonetheless, houses need to be ventilated on regular bases which would help to prevent moisture from building up, which can lead to condensation and mould. This can include using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as opening windows for a short time each day to allow fresh air to circulate.

By taking these steps, you can help to improve the heat retention of your home and keep it comfortable during the colder months.   

Overall, improving heat retention in a home can add value to the house by making it more comfortable, energy-efficient, and durable.