Where is all the heat going? Home insulation facts and tips

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Wisconsin winters are bitter and beautiful. But one thing is certain, you don’t want the cold lingering in your home. So what can you do about it. Your first thought is likely to run to the doors and windows and install weatherstripping. A good idea, but did you know your home loses a higher percentage of heat from other areas of the house? Here’s a breakdown of major areas of the house that lose heat and what to do about it.

The Walls, Floors, and Ceilings

About 30 percent of all heat loss exits through walls, floors, and ceilings. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Now, the obvious choice, if you have the money, is to insulate floors concrete or wood floors with insulation boards. But, this is all about quick hacks around the house that will retain heat. The more of the house you hit, the better off you’ll be.

Quick Tip: Use thick floor rugs throughout the house and bedrooms to add an extra layer of insulation.

Attic Holes and Hatches

Broken or open seals around the edges of an attic door are just as bad as gaps in windows or doors. Plus, holes that accommodate pipes, vents, and ducts account for nearly 15 percent of all air loss in the home.

Quick Tip: Seal holes with insulation or a foam caulk spray. In addition, weatherstrip the edges of access hatches to the attic.

Fireplaces

A fireplace can be equal to leaving a door wide open if the damper is poorly fitted or loose. Leaving it that way can account for 15 percent loss of heat.

Quick Tip: Test the damper. Light a match with the flue closed and watch where the smoke goes. If it travels up the chimney, you have a leak. Get a properly fitted damper right away. You’ll thank yourself later.

Recessed Wiring & Plumbing

Air easily fills gaps- that’s not news. Gaps in plumbing and wiring, especially when it’s recessed, accounts for 13 percent of overall heat loss.

Quick Tip: Fill the gaps with high-temperature, flexible caulk.

Windows and Doors

The windows and doors and given the most attention during the winter, and it’s not without reason. The cold air is the reason your father always told you to shut the door quickly during the summer and winter months. No matter how quickly you did so, it was never fast enough, right? While windows and doors only account for 11 percent of heat loss, they carry most impact because heat loss feels almost instant.

Quick Tip: Weatherstripping, weatherstripping, weatherstripping. For thinner or older windows, try placing a clear plastic film over the windows. If you don’t care who sees it, you can even try bubble wrap insulation: just spray some water across the window and stick the bubble wrap side down over the window.

Remember, you can always count on Kelmann for any home or business restoration needs. We work 24/7/365 and can be at your residence in 60 minutes or less in an emergency.

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