Are Cold Homes Unhealthy?

According to the World Health Organization, it is dangerous to live for a prolonged period of time in a home under 64 degrees.

The uncomfortable truth is that cold indoor temperatures can have a significant impact on our health, and could lead to serious, if not fatal health complications over time. According to the World Health Organization, there are many risks attached to living in a cold home for a prolonged period of time. With a long list of ailments ranging from mild to fatal, the data shows that living in a home under the recommended temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit, or below 18 degrees Celsius, can be detrimental. 

The Risks of A Cold Living Environment

Typically, it’s the very young and the elderly who will be the most impacted by these conditions, but even healthy adults aren’t immune to the cold. Prolonged exposure can aggravate existing conditions, such as asthma and arthritis, and can even create new problems within the body over time. Health conditions that can be worsened or caused by a cold living environment can include: 

• Asthma

• Worsening Pulmonary Conditions

• Heightened Risk of Infection

• Respiratory Infections

• Circulatory and Cardiovascular Problems

• Heart Attacks and Strokes

• Poor Sleep and Insomnia

• Mental Health Issues such as Depression and Anxiety

• And more

Common Causes of Low Indoor Temperatures

Uninsulated areas of the home are prone to low temperatures.

These issues are most commonly found in areas of mild climate, and affect homes with structural deficiencies, lack proper insulation and air sealing, or have inadequate heating systems and low energy efficiency. 

Due to the way that homes, both new and old, are constructed, once built they are left with many gaps and cracks that air can travel through, such as: 

• Natural settlement cracks in concrete

• Nail holes

• Penetrations around plumbing and electrical wiring

• Vented crawl spaces

• Vented attics

• And more

While older homes may suffer more from these issues, as well as old, inadequate windows and doors, newer homes aren’t exempt from these problems that can arise from improper insulation, lack of air sealing, poor energy efficiency, and outdated heating systems.

Ways Insulation Contractors Can Improve Home Comfort

There are many ways that an insulation contractor can improve comfort and properly control temperatures within a cold home. The first thing that will be recommended is a Home Energy Audit. This test is designed to find the gaps, cracks, areas of insulation that need updating and the like around the home. Using this test, your insulation contractor will know where to start and what services to provide that will best tackle the problem and improve home comfort and energy efficiency.

Here at Dr. Energy Saver, our trained professionals offer a wide variety of services geared towards increasing energy efficiency and improving home comfort, while also improving the lives of our customers. 

• Insulation Services--There are many areas that should be insulated within a home, such as basements, crawl spaces, floors, interior and exterior walls, attics, and more. Our insulation materials range from spray foam and foam boards to cellulose and fiberglass insulation. All of our expert insulation contractors are trained and knowledgeable in offering the best choice for you and your home. 

• Air Sealing Services--Air sealing is the process of filling small gaps and cracks with an expanding foam to block the passage of air. There are many tiny penetrations within the structure of a home that can greatly impact energy efficiency and comfort, allowing the warm air from your heating systems back out into the chill of the outside. By filling these gaps with insulation material and air sealing the home, you can keep the home warmer, save money, and prolong the lifespan of your heating systems.

• Duct Sealing Services--Ducts carry the heated or cooled air through the walls of our homes; but much like the other components of our homes, they too have tiny gaps and cracks due to the way they are constructed. Leaving ducts unsealed and uninsulated within an attic or basement can result in losing this conditioned air along the way as it travels through the cold ducts. By sealing the ducts, you can save money on your heating bill and be significantly more comfortable in your home.

• Replacement Windows & Doors--As windows and doors age, they lose their seals and become inefficient, allowing in cold drafts that can impact home comfort in a big way. Depending on the material the windows and doors are made of, replacements may be needed sooner rather than later. Wooden windows, for example, have the shortest lifespan, as they are made of natural materials. High-quality, energy-efficient doors and windows often have insulated cores and frames, and lengthy lifespans. 

• Energy Efficient Heating Systems--Every system and machine has its own lifespan; how much stress it can operate under and how effective that operation can be. Heating systems in homes with improper insulation,  lack of air sealing, and inefficient windows and doors will have to work extra hard to try to balance out the temperature of the home; causing the heating system to run down faster. Here at Dr. Energy Saver, we provide a selection of high energy-efficient heating systems and expert advice to help you make the best choice for you and your family. 

Finding an Expert Insulation Contractor

Reach out to start improving your indoor comfort, today!

As winter steadily approaches and the temperature continues to drop in mild climates, the incoming cold is a large concern for many families around the country. For those of us with lower incomes, or older, inefficient homes, this time of year can be one of stress as we try to keep our homes and families warm through the cold weather. 

Here at Dr. Energy Saver, it’s our mission to improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort, with the added benefit of improving the lives of our valued customers. With a wide variety of services geared towards those missions, including air sealing, insulation, and duct sealing, Dr. Energy Saver is here for you and your family this winter. Reach out about your Home Energy Audit and get started today!