Draft-Proofing your Home
Living in beautiful Victoria BC comes with its fair share of beauty and challenges. While the stunning landscapes and mild climate are delightful, the island’s coastal weather can also bring in chilly drafts during the colder months. Drafts not only make your home uncomfortable but also lead to energy wastage and increased heating costs. To combat this, draft-proofing your home becomes essential and many of these upgrades can easily be handled yourself. Today we explore effective strategies to draft-proof your Island home and create a cozy, energy-efficient living space.
Draft-proofing is the process of sealing gaps and cracks in your home’s structure to prevent unwanted air leaks. By effectively draft-proofing your home, you can enhance energy efficiency, reduce heating costs, improve indoor air quality, and create a more comfortable living environment.
CONDUCT A THOROUGH INSPECTION
Begin the draft-proofing process by conducting a comprehensive inspection of your home. Look for common areas where drafts may occur, such as windows, doors, electrical outlets, plumbing penetrations, and attic hatches. Also, pay attention to less obvious areas like baseboards, chimneys, and gaps around pipes.
SEAL WINDOWS AND DOORS
Windows and doors are notorious for allowing drafts into your home. Use weatherstripping and caulking to seal gaps around window frames, sashes, and door frames. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient windows and installing door sweeps to maximize insulation. A great way to test for drafts is to light a tea-light candle and move it around the edges of closed doors and windows watching the flame dance in the breeze. Please remember to be safe and keep that candle away from draperies while completing these tests.
INSULATE AND SEAL ATTIC SPACES
A significant amount of heat loss occurs through poorly insulated attics. Enhance the insulation in your attic improving R-values with blown-in cellulose insulation. Top Trade Insulation and Attic can easily handle this area for you – it’s what we do! Besides, the inspection is a free service we offer, we are thorough, take photos and can easily address any issues, while you stay safe from climbing up a ladder. Truthfully, most people doing attic inspections themselves, climb up on a ladder, poke their head in and decide everything fine. Leave the attic inspections to the professionals at Top Trade Insulation and Attic. Just contact us and arrange your no-charge attic inspection.
CHECK AND INSULATE ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND SWITCHES
Electrical outlets and switches on exterior walls can be major sources of drafts. Install foam gaskets behind outlets and switch plates to minimize air leakage. Consider using childproof outlet covers to further prevent drafts. These are very inexpensive solutions but each of these steps add up to saved energy and a cozier home.
ADDRESS PLUMBING PENETRATIONS
Inspect areas where plumbing pipes enter your home, such as around sinks, toilets, and washing machine connections. Seal any gaps with expanding foam or caulk to prevent drafts.
ENHANCE INSULATION IN CRAWL SPACE
In older homes, inadequate insulation in crawl spaces can really contribute to chills. Consider professional insulation upgrades. Again, this is exactly what Top Trade Insulation and Attic does, with no-charge inspections to let you know how things look and the best way to handle upgrades, if necessary. If your feet are cold, walking barefoot on the main floor, it’s a sign that we should look at your crawl space. Just contact us to arrange your no-charge crawl space inspection.
OPTIMIZE VENTILATION
While it’s important to seal off unwanted drafts, maintaining proper ventilation is also crucial for a healthy indoor environment. Ensure your home has proper ventilation systems in place, such as operational exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, to prevent moisture buildup and improve air quality. The attic also requires proper ventilation to exhaust the heat and moisture trapped above your living space – a major contributor to mold. Again, this is part of Top Trade Insulation and Attic’s no-charge attic inspection service.
UTILIZE DRAFT STOPPERS AND WINDOW COVERINGS
Draft stoppers or door snakes are inexpensive and effective tools to block drafts under doors. Closing your drapes and blinds can also lead to increased comfort and saved energy. Let the sun shine in when it needs to, and then close out the cold by simply closing the drapes or blinds. It makes a difference and can even be automated in todays new smart homes.
GET SOME HELP WITH THE BIG STUFF
Draft-proofing your home is a worthwhile investment that pays off in increased comfort and reduced energy bills, no matter where you live on Vancouver Island. By following the steps outlined in this post and addressing areas prone to drafts, you can create a cozy, energy-efficient living space that withstands the island’s varying weather conditions. Top Trade Insulation and Attic is BBB Accredited and has many impressive 5-star reviews, get us to help look at ventilation and insulation so you can handle the little things. Don’t let unwanted drafts disrupt your peace and warmth; take action and make your home draft-proof today!
