Why Is My House So Cold In the Winter?

Your home is drafty and cold. You may try cranking the thermostat to warm up. Or, you may avoid turning up the heat so you don't have to deal with the outrageous bills later. You're constantly curling up beneath a blanket, or three, to feel warm. Is your house old and poorly insulated, or are other potential issues at play?

South Central Services began in refrigeration and HVAC work before transitioning to spray foam insulation. We've insulated hundreds of homes with spray foam. We're well-versed in the problems homeowners face when making their homes more comfortable. While insulation is the most likely culprit of why your house is so cold in the winter, there are a few other possibilities to be aware of and consider.

By the end of this article, you will know the 6 most likely causes of your frigid house and how to fix them. Here's a preview.

• Broken thermostat
• Underperforming (or poorly sized) HVAC
• Air leakage
• Lack of insulation around windows and doors
• Lack of attic insulation
• Lack of basement or crawl space insulation

Don't have time to read right now? Check out everything you need to know at a glance.

Broken Thermostat

Symptoms

If your thermostat is broken, you might set it to 68 degrees, but the room never reaches that temperature. The display may be unresponsive and dark, and the systems connected to your thermostat won't turn on.

Solution

A broken thermostat needs to be replaced. We recommend purchasing an ENERGY STAR® certified thermostat. Not only will these smart thermostats maintain your heating in a way that saves money, but you can also get rebates from your energy company to help cover the replacement cost.

Who Can Fix It?

If you suspect your thermostat is on the fritz, you'll want to connect with an HVAC contractor. These contractors specialize in the heating and cooling systems of homes.

Poorly Sized Or Underperforming HVAC

Symptoms

If your HVAC system is underperforming, it may have difficulty keeping up with the demand of the home. The temperature in your home falls well below where you set your thermostat. Your system may also run more frequently than it should be. Your system kicks on often but you don’t feel any warmer. Your energy bills are high.

Solution

Depending on which symptoms you're experiencing, your HVAC system is likely broken in part, in whole, or is sized inappropriately for your home. Whether the fix is minor, like a part replacement, or something more extensive, like a system replacement, you will want to handle this problem as soon as possible.

Not only can broken HVAC systems cause problems like carbon monoxide poisoning, but a faulty system also costs more to attempt to run. The sooner you address this problem, the sooner you can save money on your energy bills and be more comfortable in the cold weather.

Who Can Fix It?

Contact an HVAC contractor to check your heating system. A professional can determine if the system has a broken part or needs to be replaced entirely. Depending on the size of your home and its insulation, you may save on heating costs by resizing your HVAC system. As you discuss your options with your HVAC contractor, check on federal tax credits for boilers, furnaces, and water heaters.

Air Leaks

Symptoms

If your home has air leaks, the house is very drafty. You may get chills when you feel a cool breeze brush over your skin. Even though your windows and doors are shut tightly, it seems like there's a window open somewhere that is letting all the cold air inside.

Solution

Air leakage is common, especially in older homes with less insulation. There are several ways to officially diagnose air leakage and determine which solution you need. You can have a home energy audit or a blower door test. In some circumstances, even an infrared camera can show where significant air leaks are coming from. Any of these tests will determine the worst air leaks your house is experiencing so you can decide how to stop the leakage.

Some air leakage can be handled with caulking. Rubber seals can be placed on doors, single-pane windows can be replaced, or areas of the home can be insulated.

Who Can Fix It?

Air leakage is best addressed by home energy experts. You will want to find an insulation contractor or home energy auditor to diagnose the air leakage in your home. Some insulation contractors are also certified to offer home energy audits. If you find a contractor you would like to work with who doesn't provide audits, ask what they can do to help diagnose air leakage in your home.

Lack Of Insulation Around Doors And Windows

Symptoms

If the areas around your doors and windows are not insulated well, these air exchange areas are easily the draftiest in your home. Even if the window or door is shut, you can still feel the air moving. It is easily several degrees cooler if you stand by the door than if you were to come inside a few feet.

Solution

Older homes especially suffer from this problem, but these areas are easily fixed. Many different insulation products can be used around door and window frames. Fiberglass batts are the most popular option because they are budget-friendly and easy to install. However, fiberglass will have little effect on the air infiltration around doors and windows. Another option to consider is spray foam insulation because spray foam can create an airtight seal to stop air from leaking.

Who Can Fix It?

If you are a DIY homeowner, you can purchase can foam and insulate around these areas yourself. Popular can foam brands sell single component window and door foam for these purposes.

If you do not want to handle this insulation issue yourself, you can hire a professional insulation contractor to insulate around your windows and doors.

Lack Of Attic Insulation And Air-Sealing

Symptoms

If your attic is insufficiently insulated, all the heat you pay for seems to disappear upstairs. They say that hot air rises and cold air sinks. You experience the meaning of the phrase every winter when your expensive heated air vanishes all too quickly.

Solution

Attics are responsible for more than half of the energy efficiency in a home. Without attic insulation and air-sealing, the hot air you pay for is drawn to the cold outside, and there is no barrier to stop it.

It can sometimes be challenging to determine if your attic needs insulation. If you poke your head upstairs, you may see insulation in place. Check out our guide to determine if the amount of insulation you have is enough.

Once you've confirmed that you need attic insulation, you can decide which product to use. There are many options for attic insulation, including fiberglass batts, blown-in fiberglass, blown-in cellulose, and spray foam. We recommend spray foam insulation for its air-sealing ability, but you could also combine separate air-sealing products with budget insulations.

Who Can Fix It?

Depending on your chosen product, the attic may be insulated by you or a professional. If you choose the DIY route and install fiberglass or cellulose, thoroughly research R-value and personal protective equipment (PPE) before moving forward.

If you decide to work with a professional, spend your research time finding a trustworthy contractor. Check out our article on how to choose the right spray foam insulation contractor for guidance.

Lack Of Basement Or Crawl Space Insulation And Air-Sealing

Symptoms

If your basement or crawl space is insufficiently insulated, cold air seeps through your floors. You can’t walk through your home without socks or a pair of slippers. Your home feels drafty and cold, even when you pay more for heat.

Solution

Basements and crawl spaces are below-grade areas of the home, surrounded by the cold of the earth. When these spaces are not properly insulated or air-sealed, they share their cold air with the rest of the home. As heat escapes through your attic, new air is pulled into your house from the basement or crawl space.

You can stop the draftiness by insulating these spaces. For example, if you encapsulate your crawl space, it becomes a temperature-controlled area. Any air pulled from the crawl space into your home will not be frigid.

You may choose to insulate your basement ceiling and band boards. While the basement will still be cold, the air-seal of the insulation will prevent any cold air from seeping into your living space.

Closed cell spray foam is the insulation product you need for basement or crawl space insulation. Closed cell foam is the only insulation product approved for below-grade use, and it can create an airtight seal to stop cold air from infiltrating your home.

Who Can Fix It?

Closed cell spray foam should be installed by a professional insulation contractor. These contractors can evaluate the insulation in your home and discuss your options with you. For example, you may choose to insulate your basement walls instead of your basement ceiling.

The Bottom Line About Cold Homes in the Winter

If we had to make a guess, the most likely culprit of your frigid home is your attic. You likely have little to no insulation, or the insulation was compromised during installation. However, you may also be experiencing issues with your HVAC system and thermostat. The goal is to find the problem and solve it.

For homeowners who are having air leakage problems, we recommend spray foam insulation. Whether there are small leaks around your home, bigger leaks around your door frames, or a huge leak in your attic, spray foam insulation is the only insulation that can air-seal. That means all the expensive heated air you pay for in winter will stay in your home where it belongs. Not only will your house be more comfortable, but it will also be more affordable to live in.

How much will fixing these problems cost? Here are some resources to help you.

• Are There Tax Incentives for Spray Foam Insulation?
• Cost of Attic Spray Foam in Pennsylvania
• Is Spray Foam Insulation Worth the Cost?