Wondering what’s causing a drafty room in your home? It indicates that your home isn’t as insulated as it should be, and in many cases, points to a roofing problem. What’s worse is you might be losing heat and money because of it. Let’s uncover how much money you’re losing in heating costs because of a drafty room.
Drafts in a Room Due to Roofing Issue
Drafts mean that cold air is blowing into your home. This can lead to discomfort, especially during winter.
While a drafty room isn’t always roof-related, many don’t understand how common it is, and rarely think to investigate the roof because of it. Roofing issues that can compromise your home’s heating include:
- Damaged or missing shingles
- Gaps in the attic insulation
- Damaged roof flashing
- Damaged roof decking
Each of these hidden roofing issues allow cold air in and let warm air out. It may seem like a minor issue, but you’ll likely find yourself using more energy than you usually would.
How Drafts Impact Your Heating Bill
Drafts make your heating system work twice as hard — and twice as long — to maintain a consistent temperature in your home. If you feel cold in certain areas, you may even find yourself turning up the thermostat even more.
Because of air leakage, and the extra work your heating system is doing, your energy bills rise significantly. If you’ve noticed a sudden price hike in your energy bill when it previously used to be cheaper, that means your heating system is using more energy than usual.
Other than the impact it has on your heating bill, it also drives your heating system closer to the end of its lifespan due to overuse. This means you could end up having to repair or replace your heating system sooner than expected.
How Much Does a Drafty Room Cost in Heating?
A drafty room can increase your heating costs by up to 30%. If you typically pay $200/month in heating costs, you’d be paying $60 more because of a drafty room.
Signs You’re Losing Heat Due to Roofing Issues
Here’s a few easy ways to tell whether your roof is the reason for the draft. Here are signs to look out for:
- You can feel the draft coming from above.
- You feel cold air near the ceiling or attic hatch.
- Ice dams are forming on your roof during winter time. Ice dams are caused by uneven roof temperatures and poor insulation.
- The attic feels colder than usual (it should be near room temperature).
- Your energy bills are rising, even though nothing has changed about how you use your heating.
Signs It’s a Not a Roof Issue
- You feel the air coming from somewhere other than above.
- Your roof has been professionally inspected and has no issues.
- Your windows or doors are not sealed correctly.
- Your siding is old and/or damaged.
- There are gaps in ductwork or gaps in your insulation around the walls.
Get Your Roof Inspected for Free
Get a free Waterloo roof inspection with Quality Care Roofing — find out whether your roof is the culprit for a drafty room!