Thursday, March 28, 2024

Why is it Always so Cold in Here?

October 10, 2012  
Filed under Blog

(and What to do about it!)

7 Keys to warming up that cold room without breaking the bank

 

women wearing wrap to keep warm the fix it professionalsMost of us have that one room that is always colder than the rest of the house. This is just fine in the summer, but in winter – Brrrrr! The problem is, that in order to get that one room nice and toasty, you may have to make the rest of the house too warm for comfort. Besides being a waste of power, heating up the entire house just to bring one room into the “livable” range is just not practical. Here are some simple ideas to warm up that cold room.
 
1. Put down a rug. Even if the floor is already carpeted, a rug will insulate the floor and make your toes feel cozy.
 
2. Do the windows have insulated curtains? You may already have curtains on the windows but if they are thin summer curtains, they won’t do much to keep the cold air out. By purchasing and installing insulated curtains, you will have more control over the light in the room and the temperature. When the sun is shining on the window, open the curtains and let in the warmth. When it’s dark or the window is in shadow, close the curtains to kept the heat in and the cold out. And speaking of keeping the cold out…
 
3. Make sure the windows are shut and well insulated. If cold air is coming in through an open window, if the window doesn’t shut tightly or if it is not well insulated, that pesky cold air will sneak in through the gaps. Inspect all of the windows in your “cold room” with your hands. If you feel a breeze, then you know that cold air is sneaking in. If you feel cold air when you place your hand near the glass itself, that is another problem.
 
4. Consider double or triple pane windows… if you have single pane windows or if your double pane windows were installed years ago, it may be time for an upgrade to newer double pane or even triple pane windows. If this solution is too expensive consider window film. A good quality film will insulate the glass, cut down on glare and will also keep your home cooler in the summertime.
 
5. Use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier takes moisture out of the air but has no heating or cooling element. BUT when air passes through the unit and moisture is removed, it returns to the room 2 – 5 degrees warmer than when it left. Sometimes just a few degrees is the difference between wanting to sit under a blanket or just needing a light sweater.
 
6. Is the room insulated? This is good to consider, especially if your “cold room” is an addition or it was converted from another use, such as a garage. Making sure the walls and ceiling are insulated (or adding a layer of insulation) may be all it takes to go from brrr- to comfy.
 
7. Make it the exercise room. When all else fails, consider using the room with the idea that it being a bit colder is a good thing! You’ll work up all the heat you need on a treadmill or stationary bike, so consider making the “cold room” your personal gym!

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