theHword.com

What a great time of the year to do some true assessments on just how weather tight your home is. With the cold temps that we are now in, you can do some of the simple things to find where the heat is escaping. Sometimes we think the cold air is seeping in when actually the warm air is moving out.

You can do a few quick checks by first walking into the various rooms to feel the overall room temperature. If it is colder than you wish, ask yourself a few questio… are there enough registers in the room?  Or better yet are these registers covered by furniture or other obstruction?  And even more obvious: Are they open so air can actually come out?

You may want to place a thermometer or two in various places in the room. This may pinpoint the cold spots so you can identify the target area or problem. If you are like me and tend to forget some of the numbers, you might make note of the location and temperatures. Next you might do the smoke test, to see if air is drafting around windows and doors.

A couple of meth: 1) smoke from incense will flow with the air draft coming from around doors and windows or 2) use baby powder or flour to dust the air. Both methods will work but caution: the incense is burning and could start a fire whereas the baby powder/flour will leave a dusting residue to clean up. Once you determine these cold spots, you may want to do some further checks and then lay out a plan of attack on how to repair, replace or live with it.

Cost of doing the project may outweigh the comfort or energy savings. These same problems of cold can be the reasons your home doesn’t stay cool in the summer time during air conditioning season.

Always remember, If you are not comfortable in doing some of the checking or fixing yourself, then it may be time to call in the experts and have a contractor give you some info on processes and costs. Same goes for your heating unit and air handling system.

If you chose to do some of the repairs and/or replacements yourself, be sure you are aware of how big the jobs may become and the costs associated with them. Some of the jobs such as insulating your attic can be very labor intensive, dirty, dusty and costly if you or someone falls from a ladder or through the ceiling.

Also replacing a window may become a chore because of size changes, siding repair and the replacement of inside trim and casings. Check with our local home improvement centers and hardware stores in Hastings on the cost or type of the materials you may need. They also have a lot of how to do it yourself information. Many products have web sites that give very detailed information on how to do these jobs.

About the author: Roy Johnston

Roy purchased a home and moved to Hastings in 1973 when he started teaching Construction Technology at Central Community College. He has been connected with the building industry since 1960 when he worked for a lumber company in Kearney. While living in Kearney and his 36 years living in Hastings, Roy has built a number of homes, additions and commercial structures. He also has experience in furniture building, antique restoration, painting, furniture refinishing and construction consulting. Roy says it is a great opportunity to be living in and raising his family in one of America’s finest communities.