Loss of heat in your home during the cool fall and cold winter months can not only make you miserable, but it can substantial increase your heating bill. There are a number of things that you can do to improve the insulation of your home. This will  increase the efficiency of your home, as well as keep you warmer for longer during those long winter nights.

Windows & Doors

Installing storm windows can be one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make to insulate your home from winter weather. While windows are indeed a major source of heat loss, storm windows can reduce that loss by 50 percent. Similarly, the installation of storm doors can increase energy efficiency by 45 percent. When shopping, always look for Energy Star certified products. If you find yourself with drafty windows, try installing quilted curtains. These can be installed in less than 10 minutes, and improve your comfort while you keep the temperature down.

Leaks

A little caulk and weatherstripping can go a long way in insulating for heat loss, as simple leaks can drain your home's energy efficiency faster than you would think Sill plates and rim joists can often be insulated poorly, allowing precious heat to leak from your home. 

Check the rim joist-- if you only have fiberglass insulation stuffed in there, remove it. Apply caulk along the edge of the sill plate between the top of the foundation wall. If you find any gaps that are larger than a 1/4th of an inch, use expanding spray foam to seal it up. Also check for holes around electric, gas, and water lines, and use expanding foam to close them up. 

Other areas to check are around utility cut-throughs for pipes, unfinished space behind closets and cupboards, and gaps around recessed lights and chimneys. An infrared thermometer can go a long way in allowing you to quickly find other leaks around your home.

Attic

Most homes, especially older homes, would benefit from adding insulation in the attic. You can determine how much insulation you need in your attic by determined the current R-value of your attic as it stands. 

R-value is a measurement of thermal resistance. Your home should have an attic insulation between R-40 and R-60 at a minimum. If you need to add more insulation to your attic, loose-fill insulation, like foam insulation, is preferred over fiberglass batts. This allows you to cover joists and get into crevices which are tricky to insulate any other way. The spray phone insulation easily infiltrates tiny cracks and crevices you might not notice that are letting heat escape. You can do this yourself-, but it can be a messy and precarious, in most cases you are better of hiring a spray foam insulation professional to get the job done for you.

Basement 

Just like a lot of heat is lost through the attic, heat is also lost through the basement. Just because hot air rises doesn't mean that there is no need for proper insulation in the basement.

If you have an unfinished basement, consider adding insulation to any wall frames that you have built. If you don't have frames, cover your basement windows as best as possible. You can use plastic to seal your window and then layer a thick blanket over that, ensuring that there are no large cracks. 

By following these guidelines, you won't have to worry about getting cold this winter. You won't have to worry about increased energy costs, as well. Make sure your home is protected from the winter weather with the help of professionals like Northwest Sprayfoam Ltd spray foam North Vancouver, and you will enjoy these months in your toasty abode.