Canada’s record-breaking winter is bringing cold that is testing insulation all across the country. But even the greenest buildings can have their energy efficiency questioned when drafts sneak their way into your indoor space.
Avoid paying for unnecessary heating costs by learning how you can ditch the draft that’s sneaking into your working environment whether you’re a retailer or a small office. Even the tiniest crack can let in the cold air while it allows heating costs to add up and indoor warmth to escape into the winter.
Here’s a handy How To for ditching that dreadful draft.
Locate the drafts
Find them. Make it a fun quest because reducing energy costs is exciting and the reward is a lower utility bill. While some drafts are obvious because you can just feel them — some can be harder to figure out. Some experts suggest taking a lit candle and holding it by your doors and windows — the flickering flame will let you know where that draft is coming from.
Don’t get angry, just get even
Now that you’ve found the crack responsible for making you shiver, plug it. Seal in your savings by making a trip to a hardware store to grab some caulk. While the idea of caulking a window frame may seem daunting — it’s actually very easy to do. Though it can be a messy task, the act of caulking is fairly idiot-proof and can be done in just a few hours. Plugging that unwanted gap will keep the cold air out and your heating costs where you’d like them to be.
For more specific instructions on sealing up a window leak, we get into it here.
Windows and doors are often the main sources for drafts. An energy-efficient door is always complete with fitted weather stripping — so make sure you’re checking this periodically through the year. If the draft is forcing its way through an entryway, it’s time to update the weather stripping (available in metal, vinyl, felt or even open-cell foams).
Check the vents
Depending on the building and the heating situation, it’s important to check vents to see if they’re active. Sometimes cold air will find its way into a warm room through an open vent and provide a draft. Make sure inactive vents are closed up to avoid letting in any unwanted circulation.
For standard vents, commercial home hardware stores offer magnetic vent covers that can stop the cold air from entering your space. If the problem is an evaporative cooling vent, there’s a handy video here to save heat.
If your building happens to have a fire place, the chimney is often the root of drafts. There are tons of ‘air-tight draft-stoppers’ available for this.
Close the curtain on the cold
While drapes are aesthetically pleasing and something folks often associate with decorating — they’re actually super practical. More importantly, they can contribute to insulating your indoor space. They are especially useful for buildings that have single-pane windows.
For businesses that have maximized their energy efficiency, we have incentives.
Image credit: Magnus D
