Here are a few things to do around the house to prepare for the seasonal change this time of year.
1. Close up that crawl space!
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| In the colder months crawl space vents need to remain closed. |
Some of our homes here in the Ozarks are built on what is called a crawl space. One way to know if your house sits on a crawl space is to look at the exterior of your home. Depending on the terrain most vents will be located one to two foot off the ground usually on the sides and rear of your house. During the summer vents need to remain open to allow for air circulation. This way moisture can escape and your home will feel more comfortable. However, during the fall and winter time you want to close those vents. This helps so that your home will retain its heat. Its not fun having to step on cold tile bathroom floors in the morning.
2. Check your doors and windows.
Over time, the weather stripping along exterior doors will wear out. Daily use causes the foam in the weather stripping to compress and over time this looses it rigidity. So how do you know if its gone bad? On a cool morning with your door closed, run your hand over the edge of the door and the jamb. If you can feel air movement, chances are it is no longer working properly. In more extreme cases you will be able to see light shining between the door and the jamb. With windows, check for the same air moment around the operable panels. If a problem is discovered, remove the old and purchase new weather stripping. Usually this will take care of any air leaks. With a better seal on your home, you will stay warmer and help lower those utility bills.
3. Frost on your roof.
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On this roof you can clearly see the entire attic space is giving
off heat through the roof. A good indication the attic space is
not properly insulated.
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On a frosty morning take a look at your roof. Can you see melted frost outlining any of the attic space or framing members? If so, chances are your attic space needs to be reinsulated. Heat from the interior of your house escapes through old or compressed insulation; sometimes missing insulation! The heat rises through the attic space and warms the plywood or OSB sheeting quicker than they rafters causing the frost to remain where the rafters are. Best solution is to have a contractor blow a second layer in the attic space. For the DIYer loose insulation can be purchased and spread by just shaking it throughout the attic.
These are just a few things to look out for as we prepare to enter the cool fall and colder winter weather. Correcting these small issues will not only make your house more comfortable but will help reduce energy costs.
