Keeping Out The Cold Air This Winter'

 People may love the cold weather for skiing and sledding, but those activities are outside in the snow that you love so much. The problem with the winter months isn't that there is pretty snow to enjoy: it's that the cold air seems to seep into every area of the house! Layering up the extra clothing and hats, shovelling the snow and trying to keep the ice off the inside of the windows is a bleak way to spend your time. You have to be able to feel comfortable when you come home from work and you cannot possibly do that when you are freezing cold.

There are only so many throws you can add to the sofa to keep warm under, so instead of trying to add layers to yourself you should consider how you can make yourself warmer by simply sorting the house out first. With this in mind, we've got several ways you can start to keep the cold at bay and make your life far more comfortable in the winter months. Let's take a look!

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• Look at weatherstripping the doors and the windows as a matter of urgency. It's the easiest and most effective way to keep the cold out of the house, and you can do it even with vinyl windows and exterior doors. You want to make sure that the airflow in the house isn't moving icy air through the house. It's got to be an affordable option for you, but use what you can to stop the drafts. You may not have the budget for stripping the doors properly, but you can always use rolled towels and draft stoppers as a second choice.

• Look at your ceiling and how you can seal it. You should think about sealing the space between the living rooms and the attic. The air flowing into the attic that's freezing cold is going to filter down to you in the living area and it's not ideal at all. If you ensure that the cooler air is stopped in its tracks, you're going to feel warmer. Seal around the light fixtures and pipes in the top of the walls and the ceilings, and then seal the same in the attic. If you can stop the cold air flowing through the "lid" of the room, you keep the actual space tightly warm!

• Consider insulation between floors in your house. You can do this alongside the sealing and see how much of a difference it'll make quickly. You want to ensure that you are minimizing heat loss, not increasing it, and insulation can make a big difference!

• Look at all of the other areas you can air seal in the home. Electrical outlets, dryers, switch boxes and vents can all be sealed but make sure that you choose the right ones. You want to stop air leaks, but the sealant shouldnt be permanent if you want to ensure that no damp builds in your home. Spray foam and caulk are excellent options for your air sealing efforts.

• Installation of storm windows can make a difference to the amount of cold air hitting your inside rooms of your house. Think about it: they're there to keep the rain and wind at bay, which means that they're a pretty good buffer against the wind hitting your home. Regular windows and doors have air gaps, and these can help!

• The last thing that you want to do is get the chimney looked at, especially if yours is an old fashioned one. The chimney moves cold and warm air in and out of the house all day long - make sure yours is working as it should and is properly cleaned out.