Everyone loves finding ways to reduce energy bills without sacrificing comfort, but residents of older homes may face special challenges when trying to accomplish this. Old buildings weren’t constructed with modern energy-saving innovations in mind, so you may have to get creative to find solutions. Follow these heating contractor-approved tips to prevent heat from escaping your home.

A Heating Contractor’s Guide to Reducing Heat Loss

1. Weather-Strip the Windows

In many older homes, windowpanes no longer fit correctly in their frames. This can result in drafts of cold air and heat loss. Fortunately, even if you don’t want to completely replace the windows and their frames, there’s a way to minimize these issues. Install weather-stripping around the edges of the window to keep hot or cold air from seeping in and out. Bonus tip: keep the curtains open during the day to get warmth from the sun, and shut them at night as an extra layer of insulation.

2. Block Chimneys

Many older homes were built with fireplaces as the primary provider of heat in the winter. However, if your home has since been updated with a modern HVAC system, you may be losing a lot of heat through the chimney. One option is to block it off entirely, but if this sounds too drastic, consider activating an inflatable chimney sealer whenever the fireplace isn’t in use.

3. Use Door Snakes

For a heating improvement that doesn’t involve any physical alterations to your house, block the drafts beneath doorways. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in minimizing airflow, and it can be accomplished by laying a door snake at the base of every closed door. Alternatively, you can install door sweeps, which will accomplish the same purpose but are more permanent solutions. 

4. Contact a Heating Contractor for an Inspection

Many older homes have furnaces that are past their prime, resulting in inefficient energy use, high energy bills, and heat loss. If your furnace is more than 20 years old, then it likely needs to be replaced. Warning signs include rattling, banging, popping, and other noises while the furnace is running. A professional heating contractor will be able to tell you when it’s time to upgrade. If you want to extend your furnace’s life as long as possible, schedule regular maintenance appointments two to three times a year.

If you’re looking for a heating contractor to provide inspections and repairs in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, turn to the team of professionals at Rapids Sheet Metal Heating & Cooling. For more than 73 years, they’ve served their community with furnace installations, HVAC maintenance, and more. Their focus on service is why they offer top-quality Lennox® products and why they’re available 24/7 for their clients. Learn more today by visiting them online or calling (715) 421-5555.