Heat loss is a common issue in Wisconsin homes, especially during colder months. It can lead to higher energy bills and an uncomfortable living space.
With the right HVAC solutions, you can reduce heat loss in your Fox Cities home, improve energy efficiency, and enjoy a more comfortable home all season long.
What Causes Heat Loss?
Heat loss occurs naturally. Warm air tends to escape through certain weak points in your house, including windows, doors, walls, and your roof, especially if these areas aren’t well-insulated.
Unsealed gaps around doors and windows are common culprits. Areas like attics or basements that lack insulation can also be prime sources of significant heat loss.
4 Ways to Reduce Heat Loss in Your Fox Cities Home
Let’s look at several ways to reduce heat loss, especially as temperatures start to dip around Oshkosh and Appleton.
- Seal Gaps and Cracks
Areas like doors and window frames are common points where drafts can enter, but small cracks around baseboards, floorboards, and electrical outlets can also let cold air seep in, causing your heating system to work overtime.
Use weatherstripping, caulking, and filler for these gaps to create a tighter seal, keeping warm air in and cold air out.
- Optimize Windows for Energy Efficiency
Windows are one of the primary areas where warm air escapes, so even small improvements can have a big impact. Upgrading to double- or triple-pane windows can help by adding insulating layers that reduce heat transfer.
If replacing your windows isn’t an option, applying an energy-efficient window film can be an affordable alternative that helps to retain warmth. Thermal curtains or blinds, which provide an extra barrier to keep the cold out, can also help insulate your space—especially at night.
- Use Smart Home Solutions
Smart thermostats allow you to program your home’s heating schedule, adjusting temperatures based on when you’re home or away, which reduces wasted energy and lowers your heating bills.
With zoned heating, you can take this further by setting different temperatures for individual rooms, focusing on warmth where it’s needed most. Simple additions like radiator reflectors can also enhance efficiency by redirecting heat back into the room, instead of letting it escape through walls.
- Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation is extremely important in any well-sealed, energy-efficient home. It balances insulation with fresh airflow to maintain a healthy indoor environment. While sealing gaps and insulating rooms keeps warmth inside, controlled ventilation helps prevent issues like condensation, mold, and stale air, which can build up in tightly sealed spaces.
Trickle vents in windows, for example, allow a small amount of fresh air to circulate without compromising heat retention, and heat recovery ventilation systems can recover up to 80% of the warmth in the outgoing air.
Contact the HVAC Specialists at Martens Heating and Cooling Today
If you have questions about improving heating and cooling in your Appleton, Oshkosh, or Neenah-area home, contact the experts at Martens Heating and Cooling today.
Our team can help you choose the best HVAC system for your home and walk you through using it for the first time. We will also make sure your HVAC unit is running efficiently for cold Wisconsin weather.
With extensive knowledge and experience in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry, our Omro-based team can provide valuable insights, guidance, and solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Whether you’re seeking advice on smart thermostats, system maintenance, troubleshooting issues, or are considering replacing your HVAC unit, our team is here to help. Our technicians travel throughout the Fox Cities area, including:
Call us today to ensure your HVAC unit continues to run smoothly and efficiently.