Winter Heating Demystified
Because the winter months are quickly approaching, preparing for the cold by performing routine maintenance and repair work on your home while the weather is still mild may be prudent. Getting a head start on your winter maintenance will not only help you stay warm for less during the cold season, but it may even yield energy savings during the rest of the year. Nevertheless, your winterization project may seem like a daunting task, and in order to avoid some common mistakes while performing home improvements during the winter, the following myths should be dispelled:
Window film helps to insulate windows.
This is false. Window films serve as draft barriers to stop air leaks and actually contribute very little to insulation. Instead, having another air layer may be more helpful, as this keeps moisture sealed out and helps reduce frost formation.
Ceiling fans should only be used for summer cooling.
This is false. Contrary to popular belief, ceiling fans should also be used during the winter. When used in conjunction with existing heating systems, ceiling fans can actually save you up to 10% on your heating bill. In the winter, set your ceiling fan to run clockwise on low speed in order to push warm air down and towards the center of the room.
Every house gets icicles on the roof.
This is false. Snow should always stay on the roof, and if you have more icicles compared to other homes in your neighborhood, you may have inadequate insulation in your attic. Because heat rises, attic insulation may have more impact than wall insulation. It is also far easier and more cost effective to add insulation to the attic than to exterior walls.
Space heaters are expensive to run.
This is mostly false. When used as an intermittent, supplemental heat source to boost your main heating source, a space heater can be very cost effective. Choose either an oil-filled space heater or an infrared heater for increased energy efficiency, try not to leave your heater on the high setting, and turn the heater off when you are away.
Walls cannot be insulated.
This is mostly false. In older homes, there are a variety of methods that can be used to insulate walls. Spray applied or blown-in insulation can be installed in almost any kind of cavity wall, as old, loose-pack cellulose insulation may have settled and may need to have additional insulation added.
Sealing all the air leaks will make your home too tight.
This is mostly false. While it is true that recently built homes have been built to be air-tight due to the energy crisis of the 1970s, air leaks are still very common. To prevent leaks, be sure to caulk windows and doors; and inspect outlets, light fixtures, and other penetrations in ceilings. Inexpensive foam gaskets that go behind switch plates can also be used to keep drafts out.
Window film helps to insulate windows.
This is false. Window films serve as draft barriers to stop air leaks and actually contribute very little to insulation. Instead, having another air layer may be more helpful, as this keeps moisture sealed out and helps reduce frost formation.
Ceiling fans should only be used for summer cooling.
This is false. Contrary to popular belief, ceiling fans should also be used during the winter. When used in conjunction with existing heating systems, ceiling fans can actually save you up to 10% on your heating bill. In the winter, set your ceiling fan to run clockwise on low speed in order to push warm air down and towards the center of the room.
Every house gets icicles on the roof.
This is false. Snow should always stay on the roof, and if you have more icicles compared to other homes in your neighborhood, you may have inadequate insulation in your attic. Because heat rises, attic insulation may have more impact than wall insulation. It is also far easier and more cost effective to add insulation to the attic than to exterior walls.
Space heaters are expensive to run.
This is mostly false. When used as an intermittent, supplemental heat source to boost your main heating source, a space heater can be very cost effective. Choose either an oil-filled space heater or an infrared heater for increased energy efficiency, try not to leave your heater on the high setting, and turn the heater off when you are away.
Walls cannot be insulated.
This is mostly false. In older homes, there are a variety of methods that can be used to insulate walls. Spray applied or blown-in insulation can be installed in almost any kind of cavity wall, as old, loose-pack cellulose insulation may have settled and may need to have additional insulation added.
Sealing all the air leaks will make your home too tight.
This is mostly false. While it is true that recently built homes have been built to be air-tight due to the energy crisis of the 1970s, air leaks are still very common. To prevent leaks, be sure to caulk windows and doors; and inspect outlets, light fixtures, and other penetrations in ceilings. Inexpensive foam gaskets that go behind switch plates can also be used to keep drafts out.
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1 Comments:
I've been in the window film business for 35 years, and I've never heard of window film stopping drafts! How could it when it's applied within the frame on the surface of the glass, and is nowhere near the window/wall opening. To stop drafts, you need to caulk/seal the opening where the window is installed. There ARE films (vinyls, not window films) that will stretch over a window opening (some can be heat shrunk) that will help seal drafts. Window film is meant to slow heat intrusion into a home, and in fact, some manufacturers DO make films that work against winter heat loss, so they DO insulate, but they are not nearly as effective as a good storm window or insulated glass unit.Therefore, the information you are giving out is wrong on both counts. Window sealing vinyl sheeting is NOT window film, and there ARE window films that give some measure of protection against winter heat loss.
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