Last updated on March 10th, 2024 at 03:38 pm
When you’re talking about saving money on your heating and cooling, aside from changing some habits, this is where most of your work will probably be…windows and doors. Plus…a lot of the work involved is simple and can be done in no time at all.
Windows and doors are unique because they connect you and your house to the outside world. They can open and close, letting air from the outside in your home. Conversely they can ventilate – let air from inside the home outdoors.
And because they open and close and are used so often, there is an even greater opportunity for their insulation protection to wear thin or fail. Older windows may develop small gaps or cracks which allow cold air to seep inside. Or in the summer, they allow cold air within the house to seep out, and warm air from outside to come in.
The average house has anywhere between 15 and 20 windows, and 2 doors leading directly to the outdoors. Some have more – many more.
The more windows and doors you have, the better chance there is to lose heat, or in the case of the warmer months, cool air from the A/C.
Take the time to carefully examine each one at least once per season.
If you don’t have A/C, you can probably get away with doing your inspection in the early fall. This should give you enough time to do any repairs that may be needed before the heat needs to go on.
If you do have central air conditioning, you should do an inspection twice a year – once in fall for the heating and once in spring before the warm weather comes to town.
Ideally, you should try to make repairs before you turn on any heat or A/C. However, this isn’t always practical, and I certainly don’t advocate turning off the heat in the middle of winter because you found a hole or two. That’s the advantage of doing things early – here you can actually save money.
I have a tiny house. Sort of. It is actually an old treval trailer that I gutted and have been rebuilding from the inside out. I also have those dual axle fenders and they are not so sturdy and nice as the ones in THIS tiny house! I solved the cold problem by cutting 1/2 inch polystyrene to fit the fenders in two layers glued together. I then cut 3/4 inch plywood to make tight fitting covers over the blue polyboard insulation. So far. seems to have been a good fix. Naturally, if you are in a colder climate, you can make the insulation as thick as is needed. Your project is particularly inspiring to me, as I want to build an actual tiny house, but lack the money for all new supplies. I like how you have re-purposed much of your lumber. Plus, it improves, rather than detracts from, the overall beauty. Good work!