A WEATHERIZATION expert has utilized his professional experience to help others make their homes warmer ahead of the wintry chill.
He shared two heating tips, and revealed why they shouldn’t be used on the plumbing in your house.
Reddit user i_zimbra took to the platform to ask people for tips and tricks on how to keep the house warm during the winter.
“My house lets out heat like a sieve! I rent, so I don’t think I’ll be doing any big overhauls to the place anytime soon,” they wrote in the post.
The social media user posted in the group Life Pro Tips, which is meant to “improve your life in one way or another.”
In response to the post, Reddit user TheS***tyBeatles introduced himself as a “weatherization guy.”
Weatherization or weatherproofing is the practice of protecting the inside and outside of a building from sunlight, precipitation, and wind.
It also can relate to modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency.
The expert shared his top two things that you can do in a single comment.
First, he suggested air sealing your house, especially around doors, windows, plumbing penetrations, and the band joist in the basement.
“Use weatherstripping and a door sweep on doors, caulk around windows, and caulk or foam around plumbing penetrations,” he wrote.
You can also use foam around your band joist all the way around it.
He also recommended sealing up your heating system ductwork with mastic, but check the registers for leaks as well.
If it’s located in an unconditioned space, he told readers to insulate it with R-11 wrap, or higher, depending on your location.
He also gave a few pieces of advice if you have a fireplace.
” Make sure the damper is closed and seals well when it’s closed. Make sure that any of the vent fans that are installed in the house are properly sealing closed when not turned on,” he explained.
“If you have the money and time, think about getting your attic insulation up to R-38. That’s the best place for an insulation investment,” he added at the end.
Many readers on the social media platform appreciated the expert’s tips.
They continued to ask additional questions that they hoped he could answer.
One commented: “I can never figure out exactly where to put the caulk around doors and windows. Is there a good picture or website that shows this?”
Another asked: “Can I temporarily caulk windows for winter only? I have extremely drafty windows as I live in a building more than 100 years old. If I leave a caulk residue, however, I lose a significant portion of my security deposit.”
“My fireplace is a massive hole in my air seal Even when closed, it doesn’t seal well. Who should I call to get this fixed? I’m not even sure where to start looking,” a reader inquired.
