10 Tips to Keep Your Home Warmer This Winter

When Connecticut winter settles in, temperatures drop quickly and your home’s heating system has to work overtime. The good news is that staying warm doesn’t have to mean turning the thermostat up and hoping for the best. With a few practical upgrades, many of which you can handle yourself, you can boost comfort, improve efficiency, and keep drafts at bay. Here are ten reliable ways to make your home warmer this winter.

1. Seal Up Drafts Around Doors and Windows

Even small gaps can let in a surprising amount of cold air. Check for drafts by running your hand along the edges of windows and exterior doors. If you feel air movement, use weatherstripping, caulk, or draft stoppers to seal the gaps. These fixes are simple, inexpensive, and often make an immediate difference.

2. Install Thermal Curtains or Insulated Shades

Your windows can lose up to 30% of your home’s heat, even if they’re newer. Thermal curtains or honeycomb cellular shades add an extra layer of insulation to help keep warm air in and cold air out. Close them at night and on cloudy days, then open them when the sun is shining to take advantage of natural heat.

3. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

It sounds counterintuitive, but ceiling fans can actually help warm a room. If your fan has a reverse switch, flip it to the clockwise setting for winter. This gently pushes warm air, which loves to hang out near the ceiling, back down where you actually need it.

4. Add Area Rugs to Hard Floors

Wood, tile, and laminate floors can feel icy and pull warmth from the room. Adding thick area rugs, especially in basements or rooms over unheated spaces, helps insulate the floor and make your home feel instantly cozier.

5. Check and Replace Weatherstripping on the Attic Hatch

The attic access door is one place homeowners forget to check, but it’s a notorious escape route for heat. Make sure the hatch closes tightly and that the weatherstripping hasn’t compressed or cracked. A tight seal here helps prevent heat from rushing straight into the attic.

6. Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly

A dirty furnace filter forces your heating system to work overtime, which can make your home feel less warm and your bills noticeably higher. Check your filter monthly and replace it as needed. It’s an easy DIY task that can improve airflow and efficiency right away.

7. Insulate Hot Water Pipes

Insulating the hot water pipes in your basement or utility area helps reduce heat loss as water moves through your home. Pipe insulation sleeves are inexpensive, easy to install, and can improve both water temperature and heating efficiency.

8. Add Door Draft Blocks in Older Homes

Connecticut is full of beautiful old homes but those charming original doors often come with less charming drafts. Door draft blockers (or even a rolled-up towel in a pinch) can help keep cold air from sneaking in under exterior doors. Bonus: they’re kid-friendly DIY projects.

9. Get Your Heating System Professionally Tuned

A yearly tune-up can help your furnace run more efficiently, identify issues before they become bigger (and more expensive) problems, and ensure your system is operating safely. Plus it will lengthen the lifespan of your system.

10. Consider Small, Strategic Upgrades

If your home still feels chilly, a few targeted improvements can help. Adding attic insulation, sealing ductwork, or upgrading older thermostats to programmable or smart models can make a big difference. These projects vary in difficulty - some homeowners feel comfortable tackling them, others prefer a professional - but in many cases, the energy savings can quickly outweigh the upfront cost.

Winter in Connecticut will always bring its share of cold snaps, but with a little preparation, your home can stay warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient all season long. Whether you’re sealing a drafty window yourself or calling in a pro for a furnace check, small steps can add up to big improvements. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Understanding Indoor Air Quality During Winter

As winter tightens its grip, homeowners often seal their residences to keep the cold at bay. While this practice conserves heat, it can inadvertently compromise indoor air quality, leading to discomfort and potential health issues. Understanding the challenges and implementing effective strategies can ensure your home's air remains fresh and healthy throughout the colder months.

Understanding the Winter Air Quality Challenge

During winter, increased use of heating systems and reduced ventilation can lead to a buildup of indoor pollutants. Common culprits include dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from household products. Exposure to these pollutants may cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and respiratory issues, often referred to as "sick building syndrome."

Effective Strategies to Enhance Indoor Air Quality

1. Regular Ventilation: Even in cold weather, it's essential to allow fresh air to circulate. Briefly opening windows or doors can help disperse indoor pollutants. Utilizing exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms further aids in expelling contaminants. 

2. Maintain Optimal Humidity Levels: Aim to keep indoor humidity around 50%. Excess moisture fosters mold growth, while overly dry air can irritate respiratory passages. Using humidifiers or dehumidifiers as needed can help maintain this balance.

3. Regular HVAC Maintenance: Ensure your heating system is serviced annually. Clean or replace filters every 1-3 months to prevent dust and allergen accumulation. Consider having your air ducts inspected and cleaned to remove any built-up debris that could circulate throughout your home.

4. Consider Using Air Purifiers: Air purifiers can be a powerful tool in maintaining indoor air quality during winter. Look for models equipped with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which are designed to capture small particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander. Many purifiers also include activated carbon filters to remove odors and VOCs from the air. Placing a purifier in frequently used spaces, like the living room or bedroom, can significantly reduce airborne pollutants and help create a healthier home environment.

5. Incorporate Indoor Plants: Certain houseplants can naturally purify indoor air by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen. Plants like sansevieria (snake plant) are known for their air-cleaning properties and can be a beneficial addition to your home with very low maintenance needs.

6. Use Natural Cleaning Products: Traditional cleaning agents can emit VOCs, degrading air quality. Opt for natural or eco-friendly cleaners to minimize chemical exposure. Additionally, store chemicals safely and ensure proper ventilation when using them.

7. Monitor for Radon and Carbon Monoxide: Install detectors to monitor levels of these colorless, odorless gases. Regularly test and maintain these devices to ensure they function correctly, safeguarding your household from potential hazards.

8. Keep Your Home Clean: Regular dusting and vacuuming can significantly reduce indoor pollutants. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter ensures that dust and allergens are effectively captured and not redistributed into the air.

9. Be Cautious with Scented Products: Air fresheners and scented candles can emit VOCs. Opt for unscented or naturally scented alternatives, and ensure proper ventilation when using them.

By implementing these strategies, you can maintain a healthy indoor environment during the winter months, ensuring that your home remains comfortable and safe.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Six Reasons Why Insulation Should Be On Your Home Improvement List

Unless you live in a brand new house, it’s more than likely that your home doesn’t have enough insulation. In fact, roughly three out of every four houses in our area are underinsulated and homeowners are paying the price in both energy bills and comfort. 

Back in the day, insulation requirements weren’t nearly as strict as they are today. To put that into perspective, many homes built in Connecticut as recently as the 60s have about as much insulation as what is now required in Florida where the weather is much warmer year-round. Because people either don’t know they don’t have enough insulation or can’t be bothered to check, many of us are living less comfortably than we should. So here are six big benefits to making this smart investment in your home. 

It will reduce your heating and cooling bills. 

Insulation provides resistance to heat flow both in and out of the house. It will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer simply by making it less difficult for air to get in or out. You’ll see the difference in your gas and electricity bills instantly.

It will make your home more comfortable. 

A lot of people avoid rooms in their houses because they get too warm or cold. This is especially true in the second-floor bedrooms of a Cape Cod-style house. More insulation equates to better temperature regulation and a more comfortable environment all around.

It’s better for the planet.

Energy efficiency is so important as we all try to decrease the impact we have on the environment. People are looking for homes that do their job to reduce their carbon footprint and insulation ensures that less energy is needed to keep homes healthy and happy. 

It helps to increase your resale value. 

As more people are getting clued into how important insulation is for the health of a house, buyers are paying more for homes that waste less. If you’re thinking about selling in the next few years, this is one upgrade that will be worth the investment.

It will keep your home quieter. 

As more of us are working from home, noise has become a hot topic at family dinner tables. Insulation can significantly reduce how volume is carried throughout the home and can also help to cushion external noise from the street. 

It will make your home healthier.

Insulation, when coupled with ventilation, is a home’s best defense against moisture getting into the attic and walls. Once moisture enters a house, it can become mold if not dealt with properly. Mold in the home is a leading cause of asthma and allergies, especially in young children and the elderly. In addition to being harmful, it can also be expensive to remediate.

So there you have it, six reasons why insulation should be on your home improvement bucket list this fall. Have questions? Don’t be shy, message me on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visithttp://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.