As temperatures plummet in Ontario, keeping our homes warm becomes an essential priority. With the biting chill of the winter, the efficiency of our windows and doors plays a pivotal role in maintaining a cozy and comfortable indoor environment while also curbing energy costs.
Home heat loss occurs due to inefficient insulation and gaps in windows, doors, and walls. Thermal energy escapes through these openings, driven by the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the home. Inadequate insulation and poor sealing allow heat to dissipate, leading to increased energy consumption and discomfort.
In this article, we share four highly effective strategies that homeowners can employ to minimize heat loss through their windows and doors. From simple, DIY solutions to more comprehensive upgrades, keep reading to learn the best tips for reducing heat loss in a home.
1. Schedule a Home Energy Audit
Image source: Canva
Wondering how to check for heat loss in a home? Before you can reduce home heat loss, you have to identify what areas of your home are letting heat escape.
Do this by hiring a licensed energy advisor or trained technician to conduct a home energy audit. They will assess your home’s energy usage through comprehensive evaluations using thermal imaging and blower door tests, they pinpoint insulation gaps, air leaks, and inefficient appliances.
Armed with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions to optimize energy usage, enhance comfort, and reduce utility costs. A home energy audit is the first step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective living environment.
Scheduling an energy audit may also help you become eligible for certain energy rebates and tax credits that support specific retrofits for home heat loss.
2. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors
Old or improperly installed windows and doors are one of the most common sources of home heat loss.
Reduce heat loss in a home by replacing your windows and doors with more modern, energy-efficient styles that are designed to withstand cold Canadian climates. Newer units now have energy performance ratings to help customers make informed decisions, like the government-endorsed ENERGY STAR® certification.
Aside from that, the current standard for energy-efficient windows is multiple-paned windows. These types have gaps between glasses filled with insulating gases like argon, krypton, and xenon. This added layer further reduces house heat loss!
3. Insulate Your Home Properly
An excellent long-term solution for reducing house heat loss is insulation. This resistant layer slows down heat flow from indoors to outdoors and vice versa. A properly insulated building stays warm during winter and cool during summer, reducing the need for your heating system to run constantly.
From attic to basement, insulate walls, floors, and ceilings using high-quality materials like foam, fibreglass, and cellulose. Not all homes use the same material or amount due to conditions like location, climate, and home-building materials. In fact, your home’s insulation needs differ depending on where you live in Canada.
Image Source: Natural Resource Canada
The Natural Resources Canada guidelines how much insulation your home should have based on where you live. It’s measured in heating degree-days, or HDD, which dictates how much heating a building needs to stay internally warm. We recommend getting a professional to assess your house and accurately determine its minimum insulation values.
4. Draft-proof Your Home
During winter, drafts usually occur on the top floors of your home. Hot air rises, expands, and pushes the heat upwards, causing it to leak through the ceiling, cracks in the wall, and upper-storey window and door frames.
At the same time, cold air sinks and draws in air from outside. The air enters through gaps in your basement, from plumbing and electrical holes to cracks from old windows and rifts between flooring, causing significant heat loss.
Combat chilly drafts and reduce home heat loss by draft-proofing your home. Here’s how:
Partner with Clera Windows + Doors to Reduce Home Heat Loss
When it comes to high-quality and energy-efficient fenestration, Clera Windows + Doors is the best choice. We’re one of Ontario's leading window and door manufacturers helping homeowners reduce house heat loss!
From design to installation, our customizable replacement windows and doors will significantly improve your quality of life at home and help you save on energy costs, too!
Contact us today to get a free in-home estimate and learn more about our services.
