How to Keep Winter Where It Belongs: Outside
When winter arrives, many homes suffer from drafts, uneven temperatures, and rising heating bills. It’s not just the cold outside—it’s what’s happening inside your home. Heat escapes through gaps in walls, windows, floors, and ceilings, while cold air sneaks in just as easily.
Why Your Home Feels Cold (Even With the Heat On)
Cold air often enters through weak spots in the building envelope—the barrier between inside and outside. Common causes include:
Gaps around windows, doors, and attic hatches
Poorly insulated attics, walls, and crawl spaces
Vented crawl spaces or unfinished basements
Leaky ductwork or HVAC vents
Worn weather stripping
Even small leaks add up, letting warm air escape and cold air creep in.
Want to Know Exactly Where the Leaks Are?
If you want a detailed picture of where your home is losing heat, a home performance audit is a great tool. Through air leakage testing and inspections, it identifies hidden gaps behind walls, above ceilings, and under floors—so you know exactly what needs fixing.
How to Keep the Cold Air Ou
Air Sealing
One of the most effective ways to cut heat loss is to seal air leaks. Focus on the building envelope—windows, doors, attic hatches, plumbing penetrations, and recessed lights—to eliminate drafts and retain warmth.
Insulation Upgrades
Insulation acts as a thermal barrier, slowing heat transfer and helping maintain indoor temperatures. Upgrading under-insulated attics, walls, and basements makes your home warmer and more energy efficient—especially in winter.
Crawl Space & Basement Treatment
Vented crawl spaces and unfinished basements are major sources of cold air intrusion. Sealing and insulating these areas, and installing vapor barriers where necessary, can dramatically reduce heat loss from below your living space.
Duct Sealing & Insulation
Leaky or uninsulated ducts can lose a surprising amount of heated air before it ever reaches your rooms. Sealing and insulating ductwork ensures your HVAC system works efficiently and your home stays consistently warm.
Ensure Heating Systems Are Ready
A well-maintained heating system is the backbone of a comfortable home in cold weather. Before the cold sets in, schedule a professional inspection and tune-up of your furnace, boiler, or heat pump. Changing filters, cleaning ducts, and addressing any mechanical issues ensures the system runs safely and efficiently, preventing breakdowns during the coldest days.
The Payoff: A Warmer, Healthier, More Efficient Home
When you keep cold air out, you not only stay more comfortable—you also:
Lower your energy bills.
Reduce strain on your heating system.
Improve indoor air quality.
Minimize moisture and mold risks.
Enjoy more consistent temperatures throughout your home.
Stay Warm Without Wasting Energy
You don’t need to crank up the heat to stay comfortable this winter. With a home performance audit and targeted upgrades like air sealing, insulation, and duct repair, you can keep the cold outside—where it belongs.
Comfort, efficiency, and peace of mind start with a well-sealed home.