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How to Make Cold, Drafty Rooms More Comfortable

  

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Are there rooms in your house that you avoid spending time in during the winter because they are cold and drafty? If you do, and don't want to invest a lot of money in a long-term solution to the problem, here are some simple, Do-it-Yourself ideas to make those rooms more comfortable.

• Check your windows for leaks: Use a lit incense stick around the perimeter of the window to see if there is a leak. If you find a leak, use an insulation film kit to cover the window. These can be found at any hardware store. Or, an even less expensive option is to simply stuff the area with a towel or t-shirt. 

• Install energy-efficient blinds or insulated curtains: Open the blinds/curtains on south-facing windows during the day so the sun will warm the room and close those same blinds when the sun goes down.

• Install a ceiling fan: Most ceiling fan styles have a 'reverse' switch that will push down the warmer air that collects near the ceiling.

• Install a Cove Heater: This is an independant heating unit that mounts a few inches below your ceiling. It runs on its own thermostat, requires no special ventilation or ductwork. Because it mounts near the ceiling, furniture and other objects will not obstruct airflow.

• Install electric outlet gaskets: Cold air can easily reach inside your house through the electrical outlets. Foam gaskets are inexpensive and easy to install.

The best way to find the source of heat loss or energy inefficency in your home is through a Home Energy Audit which will assess how much energy your home uses and make suggestions to improve efficiency. A blower door test will also be done during an audit and this will show areas of air leakage. The information provided from the Home Energy Audit and blower door test will arm a homeowner with the information needed to make educated decisions about improvements in their home's envelope and/or HVAC system so that each and every room in the house will be comfortable.

Photo credits: Familyhandyman.com, Flickr