Five Reasons Your House is Too Cold (And How To Fix It)

Some days in an Australian winter can be unpredictably cold.  Chilling wind blasts are becoming more common with high winds and freezing temperatures.  During those times, does your house get TOO COLD that it almost feels like you’ve been teleported to the Antarctic region? Are you dealing with the frustration that even after exhausting all means available at your disposal, your home still won’t warm up one bit and all you end up having is whopping energy bills?

Don’t get left out in the cold (pun intended)! These are the main reasons why thermal comfort during winter seems elusive in many Australian homes.  Discover how to make a house warmer without the aid of extra heating/air-conditioning:

1. You’re Gaining Cold Air and Losing Warm Air

If your home suddenly gets chilly again a little after switching off your heater, chances are your home is draughty – surrounded by gaps and tiny openings through which outside air freely penetrates. These openings can be present on the sides of your doors, windows, architraves, wall vents, and even in your floorboards.

Sometimes they are tiny cracks, so you might think these openings can’t have any impact to your thermal comfort. But these gaps can compound and, when added, may equal the size of one window. Draughts can be responsible for up to 50 percent of your expensive heating and cooling being lost to outside temperatures. If you’re serious about reducing your energy cost and improving your thermal comfort for the long term, it’s time to pay attention to those tiny openings.

The Solution: Conduct a careful inspection on your doors, windows, architraves, wall vents, and floorboards to check the presence of gaps and cracks. Apply real draught-proofing solutions to seal those openings and control your home ventilation.

2. Cold Air Comes in Through Your Windows

Have you noticed how the winter air can still come through your windows despite having your blinds and shading in place? This is because glass is a conductor of heat. Basic principles of conduction tells us that when there is temperature difference from one side of the window to the other, heat transfer through the glass and frame takes place. The rate of heat transmission increases depending on the temperature difference between the inside and outside of your home and the material of your windows.

The Solution:  There is no need to replace your windows if you’re experiencing massive heat transfer during winter and summer. Secondary glazing (or retrofit double glazing) is an excellent alternative you can opt for regardless of the type and material of your windows.

3. Warm Air Rises to The Ceiling, Cold Air Falls

Majority of the cold air that comes into your house enters through the ceiling and floorboards (if you have a timber floor) so your indoor temperatures can fall dramatically.  If your house doesn’t have a ceiling insulation in place, turning up your heater to maintain a cosy indoor temperature won’t be effective as the heated air will rise, settle at ceiling height, transfer to the attic space, and exit your house. This process of heat loss results cold air descending from your ceiling to your living space.  Sometimes you will feel a draught around your ankles from the floor / ceiling / floor convection current in your heated rooms.

The Solution: Insulate the attic / crawl space of your ceiling with a lofty, high-quality polyester insulation. One of the essential types of insulation that all homes should invest in, ceiling insulation slows down heat transfer to keep your rooms toasty all day long. It also reduces the workload on your heater which in turn reduces your energy bills. If you have an existing ceiling insulation, we highly recommend that you augment it with polyester insulation which is non-allergenic, moisture and rodent-resistant, and maintains its thickness for over 50 years.

4. Cold Air Rises Up From Below

If your home is built off the ground, cold air will infiltrate your floorboards. A frigid crawl space creates a heat sink that draws heat out of the house, making your floors and living space much colder.

The Solution: Insulating your underfloor with polyester rolls will prevent the winter air from entering your home. Staple them firmly and permanently beneath your floorboards for a lifetime of cosy feet.

5. Cold Air Is Conducted Through Your Walls

Walls without insulation can conduct heat easily and massively, especially if there is a wide temperature difference inside and outside. Heat transfer in double brick walls is 63% while that of weatherboard walls is 75%.  For brick veneer walls, rate of heat transfer is at a whopping 85 percent!   

The Solution: Retrofit wall insulation is available for weatherboard and brick walls. If you are removing weatherboards for extensive maintenance, it is a great time to insulate your walls.  Alternatively, retrofit cavity wall insulation can be pumped in using a hose to achieve optimum coverage and effectiveness. Wall insulation provides a protective barrier between internal and external temperatures to stop heat transfer.

Insulate Your Home for Greater Thermal Comfort

Double down on your thermal comfort this winter by insulating your doors, windows, ceiling, floors, and walls. Not only does an all-home retrofit improve your thermal comfort, it lowers your energy cost for the long term as well.

For an expert insulation supplier in Melbourne, contact ecoMaster, the experts in energy efficiency! Call 1300 326 627 for inquiries and orders.

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