Ways to Fix Cold Spots

Any time you spend looking for cold spots in your home this winter and fixing them will cut your heating bills. More importantly, though, you’re also solving problems associated with high summertime cooling costs.

Seal the air leaks.

The typical home has air leaks around the windows and often the exterior door frames. Recessed lights that protrude into the attic often need sealing, along with places where pipes or wires enter the structure. Small cracks can be sealed with caulk and expanding foam works for larger gaps or holes.

If there are holes around wires, choose a foam rated for use with wiring. Replace worn weatherstripping with the same kind already in use around the door frame.

Increase the insulation.

You can check the insulation level in the walls around areas where there are cold spots by removing the cover off an electrical outlet after turning its circuit breaker off.

Shine a light into the wall cavity to see if it has adequate insulation. If not, contact an insulation contractor who can add more using blown-in fiberglass or cellulose, or insulating foam.

Deal with the windows.

Old windows, whether dual or single pane, may need new weatherstripping to prevent air leaks through the panes. If the glass feels cold to the touch, it’s transferring heat through the glass year-round. Replacing it with an Energy Star window will prevent heat transfer. Less expensive options include insulated window coverings or fresh weatherstripping.

Look for ductwork leaks.

Signs of ductwork leaks include rising energy bills, excessive dust around the registers, or rooms that are suddenly less comfortable than they once were. The best way to identify and repair the leaks is to ask your HVAC contractor to test them for leakage.

They use specialized equipment to find the extent of leakage and pinpoint their locations. They use metal tape, mastic, or chemical sealers to stop the leakage.

Fixing the cold spots doesn’t require a lot of money or time and will increase your comfort. To learn more, contact Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions, providing trusted HVAC services for Orlando homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).