Uneven rooms
A room that is always hotter or colder than the rest points to missing insulation, leaks or duct problems.
Rooms over garages are common culprits.
Drafts and cold floors
Cold air at outlets, along baseboards and under floors signals leaks and thin insulation.
A crawl space may be the cause.
High bills
If bills rise or stay high despite newer equipment, the building may be losing too much. An audit finds out.
Do not assume the equipment is the only issue.
Ice dams and roof snow melt
Heat leaking into the attic melts snow unevenly, and water refreezes at the eaves. It points to air leaks and thin insulation.
Ventilation helps but sealing solves the cause.
What the attic shows
If you can see the tops of the joists, the insulation is thin. Flattened, stained or dirty areas need attention.
Dark streaks show air leaks.
Noise and dust
More street noise and dust than you expect can mean air gaps. Sealing helps with both.
Quiet houses are usually tight houses.
Trust your rooms and your attic: if joists show and rooms are uneven, start with sealing and insulation.
