Now that the cold weather has come along, all you want to do is be at home and enjoy your time indoors. But what if you feel uncomfortable? What if there’s something wrong with your home that stops you from feeling cosy, and you feel chilly instead?
If that sounds like you, then this guide is here to help. We take a look at some of the reasons your home might not feel comfortable and what you can do about it.
Poor insulation
One of the main reasons your home might not feel comfortable is because of poor insulation, as companies like Insulation Commandos point out. Poor insulation can be quite insidious. The purpose of insulation is to trap heat in your home, but if you’re missing insulation or it doesn’t have proper coverage in your attic, then warm air can quickly leak out and cold air can get in easily.Â
Air transfer can occur even through small gaps so these are worth fixing if possible. Most homes lose between 25% and 50% of their heat through their attic alone, so focusing on this area often has high returns. It’s also a good idea to think about your windows and doors to see if they’re letting in drafts.
Low humidity
Homeowners often think of high humidity as a bad thing in their properties. So many aim to lower the moisture content of the air to feel more comfortable and reduce the risk of condensation. But if the humidity is too low, which is common in the winter, then it can also make homes feel less comfortable. When humidity falls below 30%, it can irritate the eyes and dry out the skin. It also makes air in the home feel colder, causing the body to lose heat faster. You can deal with low indoor air humidity by adding a steamer. These simply disperse steam particles into the air, a bit like a stove might, but in a more controlled way.
Cold surfaces
Cold surfaces are another issue that makes homes feel less comfortable during winter. If you have cold walls, floors, and windows, then it makes everything feel harsher. Heat naturally rises, so floors in particular are at risk, especially tile floors and uninsulated surfaces. You can deal with cold surfaces and radiant heat loss by adding soft furnishings to your floors and window coverings. Curtains and rugs are an obvious and easy way to do this.
Inefficient HVAC
If you have an inefficient HVAC because of blocked vents or leaky ducts, then this can also make your home feel less comfy. You can’t control the climate or the atmosphere as much as you would like. Again, this has an easy solution. Just go to your local expert and get them to fix the system.
If you have problems with leaking vents, they can pump sealants into the venting system to seal it automatically from the inside, getting rid of even small cracks or issues that might be forcing the system to work harder.
