Fall is finally here! After a record-breaking summer heat, the temperature in the United States is starting to drop. Once again, it is time to crank up the thermostat to counter the cold outside and keep the inside warm and toasty.
However, even after you turn the heating on, why is it still so cold?
Most homeowners, at some point, will experience a part of the house or an electrical appliance going awry. In this instance, the problem is the indoor temperature being too cold when you want it to become warmer. There are a few possible reasons why your home remains cold. Here are the things that you should check.
Your Heating System
The first place that you need to investigate is the furnace. The main role of the furnace is to warm the house, so if the house remains cold, it most likely is the reason why.
Homeowners should make it a habit to inspect, clean, and maintain their heating system before fall begins. This way, if necessary, they can contact professional furnace services to make repairs. By the time the cold months roll around, the household would not have to layer up and bundle themselves in a thick blanket to keep warm inside their own home.
It is possible that the air filter that you have been using is too old and, therefore, requires to be changed. Filters are not permanent. They have to be changed regularly or, else, dirt and dust will accumulate, blocking the air from circulating around the house. Worse, you may end up breaking the entire system, and pay thousands of dollars to have the whole thing replaced — in the middle of fall and winter. Experts recommend that homeowners should change the filter every 90 days, or when it looks gray.
If you just moved into a new house, the heating system might need an upgrade. One heating unit cannot obviously warm a two-story house. You need another unit to ensure that both floors have their own heating systems.
The Cracks and Crevices
When you have the heating on, you need to close the windows and the doors to prevent the cold air from coming into the house. However, even if the main entry points are completely shut, it is possible that the cold air is still finding its way into the house through gaps. If this is the problem, the heating system becomes inefficient at raising the interior temperature.
Gaps often are present around the windows and door frames. It is easy to remedy. You only need to seal any gaps by installing weatherstripping around the doorways that open to the exterior of the house. Caulking, meanwhile, can seal the gaps around the window.
Here is a trick that can inform you if there are gaps where the cold air is seeping into the house. If during the daytime, you can see the sunlight streaming around the door, including under, you need to replace and install new weatherstripping. Under the door, add a draft dodger or a door sweep.
The House Insulation
It is also wise to revisit insulation in and around the house. Poor insulation cannot keep you warm. The cold will continue to seep in if there is no barrier protecting you from the weather outdoors.
Heat can travel and exit the house through drywall and the attic. That is why you need insulation to prevent the warmth in and the cold out. You can figure out the efficacy of the insulation, and whether it is suited to your home, by checking the R-value. The higher R-value is the strongest. For example, sprayed foam insulation has an R-value of up to 8.0 per inch, which makes it one of the better options. On the other hand, cellulose can only go up to 3.8 per inch.
Review the insulation, check for flaws, and make repairs and replacements if necessary.
In the Meantime
While you try to figure out why your house is still cold, here are some tricks to try to make your body feel warm.
First, layer up. Wear your thickest jackets and jumpers. Keep your feet warm, too, by wearing a thick sock or fuzzy slippers inside the house, especially if you have cold floors.
You should also sip warm soup or beverages to counter the feeling of being cold. Consuming hot meals and drinks will warm you from inside out. Of course, the feeling will be temporary.
So, in addition, remain active. You may want to crawl back to bed and hide under the covers, but you should keep your heart pumping and your blood circulating to feel warm.
The cold weather makes people retreat inside their homes for warmth. However, sometimes, things do not work out as they should. The house becomes cold when it should be warm. Knowing what is causing the problem is one important step closer to solving it.
Meta title: Possible Reasons Your House Remains Cold
meta desc: When the interior of the house feels cold even with the thermostat cranked up, there is a problem somewhere. Read on to determine the areas you should investigate.
