A Simple Fix

Cold House?

By BARBARA COOTS

Along with the thrills of winter come the chills. If your house seems colder than it should be — or if it's an older home — here are a few things you can do to remedy that.

1. Grab a helper and try the candle-and-blow-dryer test for exterior doors and windows. One person stands on the inside with the blow-dryer, the other outside with a lighted candle (obviously, don't try this on a windy day). Go around the edges of the doors and windows to check for leaks. If the candle flickers from the blow-dryer, your heating is probably escaping. Replace old weather stripping (or, in the case of some older homes, install weather stripping) and caulk around windows. Look for screw-on strips for the bottoms of doors.
2. Take a look around the attic. If it's not well-insulated, adding more padding can really make a difference. Also, after rain and snowfall, inspect the ceiling for signs of water penetration and replace any moist insulation. Inspect joints in the air ducts for leaks, which you can seal with duct tape.
3. Do you have a fireplace? Use binoculars to inspect the exterior for cracks, loose or missing bricks (or corrosion, loose sections, and warping for metal chimneys), and the presence of a cap on top. Inside, shine a flashlight up the flue. If there is more than 1/8 inch of soot buildup, you have a possible fire hazard on your hands, and it's time for a professional cleaning. Chimney sweeps can also perform some repairs or refer you to masonry or metalwork experts.

Speaking of energy efficiency, you can learn more about it by visiting the Alliance to Save Energy Web site, ase.org. They even offer a helpful Home Energy Checklist for consumers.