It’s Cold Outside
Sustainable Design and Renovation Tips for a Comfortable Home
Evan Mason, LEED GA Sustainable Homes+Yards
Sitting here at Starbucks with my coat on, I began thinking of how important air flow—or the lack of it—is to maintaining comfort. Whether it’s the combination of small leaks from around windows, window air conditioners that haven’t been removed, or air moving up staircases to a skylight, drafts create an indoor wind chill factor— especially uncomfortable when temperatures dip.
What to do without ripping your home apart? Pretend you are Sherlock Holmes and investigate! On a cold or windy day:
· Put your hand around each window. If you feel drafts, buy a product such as Mortite—a removable, white, rope-like caulk—and apply around the edges of your windows
· Feel electric outlet switches and plates that are on the outside walls of your home. If you feel drafts, buy insulated outlet covers with pre-cut outlet or switch holes; simply remove the plastic plate with a screwdriver and install the insulation sheet
· Place a piece of aluminum foil behind radiators to reflect the heat into the room. Don’t forget to remove any furniture or items stored on and around the radiator and the cover—heat needs ventilation in order to circulate into your room
· Keep curtains and shades up to let the sun shine in during the day; close them in the evening to retain the warmth at night; this will work particularly well with blackout or other heavily lined curtains
· Look under your sinks to see if there are holes around the pipes; seal with caulk or a can of spray insulation. This not only blocks drafts, it also prevents mice, roaches and other critters from having the full range of your entire apartment building
· If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, make sure the chimney flue is tightly closed—or even better, install fireplace glass in front of the fireplace. This prevents cold air from entering in the winter and hot, humid outside air from mixing with your air conditioned space in summer
· If you have a baby, consider keeping the nursery the same temperature as your own bedroom, but make sure to reduce drafts.
By the way, if you are too hot and want better control over your own heating, insulate every pipe you can have access to (and if you are doing any type of renovation, make sure this simple and inexpensive measure is not overlooked). The heating and water pipes hidden in the walls and floors generate radiant heat, whether you want the heat or not. By insulating the pipes with store-bought sleeves, you can reduce this overheating. Another way to control your heat if you live in an apartment building and have radiators is to install thermostatic radiator valves at each radiator. Yes, you do have to hire a heating professional to do this, but you will have more control over your own heat and feel more comfortable.
Keep tuned to this space for more sustainable interior design + comfort tips.
Evan
