If you are spending your evenings shivering under layers of blankets then your home might be too cold for you. There can be a variety of reasons that your home is cold and you should investigate the cause of the problem to make sure you are not spending a fortune trying to heat a home that won’t get warm. Here are five very common causes of a cold home. Some may need home improvement work carried out but others can be solved with the flick of a switch.
Lack Of Insulation
Most contemporary homes are built with insulating materials designed to let air flow freely through the house while still retaining heat. If you live in an old building it is worth exploring roof cavities and exterior walls to determine whether there is any insulation. Most experts can advise on a course of action that will help you retain heat and improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Blocked Gutters
If your gutters are blocked, then water will not be draining properly. Drain flow should direct water away from your home. If a gutter is blocked, water can overflow the drain resulting in water cascading down exterior walls. If left unchecked, this cold rain can penetrate, creating damp within the home. Seek advice from experts like the professional gutter cleaners in Greensboro, NC, who will be able to clear your gutters of debris and built-up dirt.
Boiler Issues
If your home is heated with central gas heating, then you should regularly service your boiler as a professional can identify any potential problems and remedy them before they cause you trouble. If your boiler is not working, then radiators will not heat up, and your water will run cold. A common problem with boilers is losing pressure. Usually, pressure can be restored by refilling the boiler, but you should consult user manuals before attempting to restore pressure.
Radiators Need To Be Bled
If your boiler is working well, but you still have cold radiators, then they may need to be bled. A radiator often needs to be bled if the heat is not dissipated equally across its surface. Bleeding a radiator is a simple process that extracts any pockets of air in the radiator allowing the hot water to flow freely through the system. Always bleed a radiator with a rag or kitchen towel nearby as sludgy water may also come out of the radiator when you bleed it.
Check The Thermostat
Finally, always check your thermostat. If the temperature is set too low then your house will automatically switch off the heating when your house reaches this temperature. Increase the temperature on your thermostat to increase the temperature within your home. If your thermostat temperature is set high, but your home still feels cold, consider moving the thermostat. If the thermostat is above a radiator or another source of heat, it may reach the cut-off temperature before the rest of your house does. It may sound like an obvious mistake, but forgetting to adjust your thermostat for the winter is often the root problem for a house that is too cold.
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