Three simple rules for old houses

This post originally appeared online and in print in Skaha Matters Newsletter February 2020

If you are in an old house with imperfect door seals, high ceilings and old windows I can bet two things: you are uncomfortably cold and your heating bill is very high. Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of things you could do, start with these three simple steps which are good for almost any home.

1. Replace bulbs. It is always worthwhile to replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs. LEDs last longer, break less and use a tenth of the electricity of incandescent. Aim to replace all the “standard” bulbs in the household (prices go way up for specialty bulbs: oven, microwave, candelabra etc).

2. Add some current to the air. Stand on a chair and reach up as high as you can. Does your hand feel warmer up there? The hot air at the ceiling isn’t doing you any good. Buy a standard box fan, turn it on low and place it in the corner of the room. While installing ceiling fans might be best, any air circulation in the room will prevent the layering that keeps your heated air on the ceiling.

3. Forget the insulation – start with the leaks. You could sink a lot of money into insulating windows, doors, attics, but if the hot air that you paid for is leaving to go outside that’s your first problem. Two great tools to find leaks are a glass of water or a stick of incense. The cup method: fill a cup with water. Dip your finger in the water, then use your finger to test around doors and windows to find the breeze. The incense method: light a stick of incense and watch smoke from tip carefully to see which way the wind is blowing. I mark the spots with a pencil or sticky note, then come back with caulk, weather stripping or my favorite: the door snake (I like the double snakes that move with the door).

These three inexpensive activities are your best investment for comfort, your bank account, and global warming. As a bonus these are all within your capabilities as a renter, and will make an immediate impact on your electricity bill.


This article by Kristy Dyer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. You can reprint it for free, as-is.