How to Stop the Winter Cold from Sneaking Inside

by Kristopher Samuels Writer

You wake up in the middle of the night. Your bedroom is freezing. You force yourself to get out of bed to crank up the thermostat and grab another blanket, but you can’t stop shivering. It doesn’t make much of a difference.

You need to make these home improvements to keep the bitter cold outside where it belongs.

Winterize Your Entrances

Air leaks from your windows and entrance doors account for approximately 25% of heating costs for your home. If you don’t want to deal with the cold air or the energy costs that come with it, you should winterize these areas as soon as possible.

Here are some simple ways that you can winterize your entrances:

Caulk over gaps along the interior/exterior
Add weatherstripping
Take out summer screens and replace them with glass panes
Get thermal curtains for windows
Protect basement windows with window wells

Or Replace Them Entirely

You can always improve your home with new windows with energy-efficient materials and features so that you don’t have to worry about the winter cold. Upgrades with high R-values will block out the outdoor temperatures and seal the internal temperatures — the cold air can’t intrude, and the warm air can’t escape.

Be sure to get the replacements professionally installed. The pros will guarantee that the windows have tight seals. There will be no cracks or gaps for air to push through.

Add More Insulation

When in doubt, add more insulation. Tackle the basement first because it will bring in air leaks from the entrances and the foundation. Then, insulate the attic to trap in more heat and prevent any ice dams from forming on the roof — these can cause leaks and expensive moisture damage.

It will be much harder to add insulation to other areas without undergoing extensive renovations. But, placing shelving units and tapestries along the walls can absorb some of the chill. That’s right — you can use your design skills to warm up.

Add Some Throw Rugs

The floor is ice cold. You can feel it through your thick socks whenever you walk across it. You don’t have to commit to wall-to-wall carpeting but adding some throw rugs around the house is a simple way to keep the chill from sneaking through your slippers. Think of it as decorative insulation.

Check out Your Furnace

It’s possible that your furnace isn’t running as well as it should be. You might need to replace your furnace filter — this is likely true if your appliance only uses disposable filters. These should be tossed out after three months. The simple chore should make your rooms significantly warmer.

Another reason why it could be under-performing? It’s getting old. If the house has had the same furnace for over 15 years, it could need a replacement.

You shouldn’t have to wear your parka inside of your house. You should feel warm and comfortable, even when there’s a snowstorm just outside your front door. If you don’t want to spend the whole season shivering and shaking, you should follow every single one of these home improvement tips.