Why is My House So Cold? 15 Tips for Cold Weather ComfortWhy is My House So Cold? Posted on September 24, 2024 As the dog days of summer end and temperatures start dropping, we tend to retreat into the inviting warmth inside the home. However, if your house is excessively cold even with a heating system, this can indicate a problem. Living in a cold house can be uncomfortable and even unhealthy, especially during the winter months. In this guide, we explore why your house might be cold, what the ideal home temperature is for comfort and health, and how various factors affect your home’s temperature. We also provide tips on how to resolve a cold home, and make it more comfortable for you and your family. What is the Ideal Home Temperature? Before identifying why your house might feel cold, it’s essential to know what the proper home temperature is. According to experts: Daytime indoor temperature: 68-72°F (20-22°C) is considered comfortable for most people. Nighttime temperature: Slightly lower at around 60-67°F (15-19°C), as cooler temperatures are better for sleeping. Energy efficiency: For energy savings, the Department of Energy suggests setting your thermostat at 68°F (20°C) during the day and lowering it while you sleep or when you’re away. If your home consistently feels colder than this, there may be several underlying reasons. Why is My House So Cold? ☒ Poor Insulation Walls and ceilings: If your walls, attic, or roof lack proper insulation, heat can easily escape, making it hard to maintain a warm temperature. Windows and doors: Heat loss through poorly sealed windows and doors is common, especially if they’re single-paned or have gaps. ☒ Old or Inefficient Heating System Age and maintenance: Older heating systems, such as furnaces or boilers, may not function efficiently if they’re not regularly maintained. Incorrect sizing: A system that is too small for the size of your house may struggle to keep your space warm. ☒ Air Leaks Gaps in windows, doors, or even the foundation of your home can allow cold air to seep in and warm air to escape. Open chimneys: If your chimney is not properly sealed when not in use, it can let cold air into your home. Unsealed attic hatches: Uninsulated attic doors and hatches can allow heat to escape upward. ☒ Thermostat Location A thermostat placed in a drafty or isolated part of the house might not accurately measure the home’s overall temperature, causing improper heating adjustments. ☒ Uneven Heating Distribution Vents and radiators: Blocked or improperly positioned vents and radiators can result in uneven heating, making some rooms colder than others. Ductwork: Leaky or poorly insulated ductwork can reduce the amount of warm air reaching certain areas of your home. ☒ Cold Floors Lack of floor insulation: Cold air beneath your house can seep through floors, especially if they are not properly insulated. This can be particularly problematic in homes with basements or crawlspaces. ☒ Windows and Sunlight Lack of sunlight: If your home doesn’t get enough sunlight, it can feel colder, especially during winter when the sun is low on the horizon. Old windows: Windows without adequate insulation (e.g., single-pane windows) can let cold air in and warm air out. ☒ Large, Open Spaces Homes with large open floor plans can be harder to heat evenly. Warm air may rise to the ceiling or spread unevenly, leaving lower levels and corners feeling cold. ☒ Basement or Crawl Space If these spaces are not properly insulated, cold air can rise into your home through the floors, making it harder to maintain a warm temperature. Why is My House So Cold During Winter? During the winter months, cold temperatures outside can worsen issues that already exist in your home. Here are some common winter-specific problems that can lead to a colder home: Extreme outdoor temperatures: If temperatures drop significantly, your heating system may struggle to keep up, especially if it is inefficient or poorly maintained. Wind chill and drafts: Wind can push cold air through small cracks or poorly insulated areas, increasing the drafts inside. Frost and condensation: Moisture can build up on windows and doors, increasing heat loss and making the house feel damp and cold. Snow buildup: Snow accumulating around your foundation can cause cold to seep through walls, especially if your home’s foundation is not insulated. How Humidity Plays a Role Dry air feels colder than air with higher moisture content. During winter, the air inside can become dry, which exacerbates the sensation of cold. Relative humidity is the measurement of moisture level in the air. In general, a 40% to 60% relative humidity is recommended. The Center of Energy and the Environment suggests the following humidity levels for winter: Outdoor Temperature (deg. F):Ideal Indoor Relative Humidity20 to 40< 40%10 to 20< 35%0 to 10< 30%-10 to 0< 25%-20 to -10< 20%-20 or below< 15% How to Fix a Cold House Here’s a detailed list of tips to help fix a cold house and make it warmer and more energy-efficient. 1. Improve Insulation Add insulation in the attic and walls to prevent heat from escaping. Use weatherstripping and caulk to seal gaps around windows and doors. Consider upgrading to double- or triple-pane windows if possible. Check out our guide on Installing Insulation, as well as How to Insulate Your Attic. 2. Seal Air Leaks Use caulking and weatherstripping in windows and doors to prevent drafts. Check for cracks in your foundation, walls, or around pipes, and seal them with foam insulation. 3. Upgrade Heating Systems If your furnace or boiler heating system is outdated, consider upgrading to a more efficient model. Check our comprehensive catalog of furnaces and boilers to upgrade your older heater to a more energy and cost-efficient system. Ensure your system is regularly maintained and serviced, with filters changed and ductwork cleaned and sealed. If you’re having issues with your furnace, we have a checklist for that too. 4. Use Space Heaters or Radiators If certain rooms are colder, supplement your central heating with portable space heaters or electric radiators. To help you out, we have beginner guides for the Types of Space Heaters and Electric Heaters. Once you’re ready to choose, check out our extensive lineup of electric heaters. 5. Install a Programmable Thermostat Use a programmable thermostat to better control the temperature in different areas of your home. Smart thermostats such as the Daikin One+ can also help you to better manage the heat in your home. Daikin One+ Smart Thermostat for Daikin Mini-Split Systems This modern thermostat has more than just sleek looks. It is Wi-Fi compatible and works with an app on your smart phone or tablet as well as voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing convenient control via phone or voice of your Daikin mini splits. Price: $785.00 Daikin One+ Smart Thermostat for Daikin Mini-Split Systems - DTST-ONE-ADA-A The elegant look of the new Daikin One+ Smart Thermostat sets this thermostat apart from other wall mounted thermostats. It has a clean, modern look that will f... View Product 6. Close Off Unused Rooms Close doors and vents in rooms you don’t use to prevent heat from spreading thinly across the house and keep warmth concentrated in living areas. 7. Add Rugs and Carpeting Floors can contribute to heat loss. Use thick rugs and carpets, especially on tile, hardwood, or concrete floors, to help insulate your home. 8. Improve Humidity Levels Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, making it feel warmer and more comfortable. Humidifiers also help prevent common ailments caused by cold dry air, like inflamed sinuses, nose bleeds, dry or chapped lips, and skin flaking. Here’s our guide to the different types of humidifiers, from table top models to whole home systems that plug in to your HVAC. 9. Open Curtains During the Day Take advantage of natural sunlight by opening curtains during the day, especially on south-facing windows. Sunlight can add warmth to your home. 10. Close Chimney Flues If you have a fireplace, ensure the chimney flue is closed when not in use to prevent cold air from entering. 11. Consider Window Treatments Use thermal curtains or cellular shades to insulate windows at night, preventing heat loss through the glass. 12. Ensure Proper Ventilation Use vent fans in bathrooms and kitchens sparingly, as they can pull warm air out of the house. Make sure ventilation systems are balanced to retain as much warmth as possible. 13. Add Radiant Floor Heating If cold floors are a significant issue, consider installing radiant floor heating, which heats rooms from the ground up and provides consistent warmth. Here’s what to consider when looking at radiant floor heating. 14. Use Door Draft Stoppers Simple fabric or rubber draft stoppers placed at the bottom of doors can prevent cold air from seeping through gaps. 15. Check Ductwork Ensure your ductwork is sealed and insulated, especially in unconditioned spaces like attics or basements. Leaks in the ductwork can result in heat loss before it reaches your rooms. Conclusion Maintaining a warm home, especially during cold seasons, requires proper insulation, an efficient heating system, and attention to small details like sealing air leaks and managing drafts. By addressing these issues and making upgrades where necessary, you can ensure your home stays warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient throughout the cold season. Mickey Luongo Mickey is the resident heating and air conditioning expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry.
