How to make your drafty house cozy again

For those who live in older homes, the transition to colder weather can be extra disheartening, as the vision of expensive heating bills, chilly rooms and drafty windows dance in their heads. However, it’s easy to change the outlook from cold to cozy with a few simple solutions.

The most effective way to improve the comfort level in your home is to properly insulate. Insulation can be inadequate in older homes. Over time, it can settle and compact, creating gaps. Topping up attic insulation will help keep the warm air in, reducing heating bills and preventing stress on your furnace. For easy installation, homeowners and professionals alike recommend a stone wool batt insulation product called Roxul Comfortbatt. For attics, aim for an r-value of R-50 or a depth of 16 inches.

A little preparation can go a long way to keep the cold at bay. Seal out drafts by replacing worn weather stripping and caulking along windows, doors, baseboards, and trim. For other ways to beat the cold, consider inexpensive window insulation kits along with thicker drapes, and don’t forget to reverse ceiling fans to push warm air back down.