and how to avoid them without turning your living room into an igloo!
❄️ In Quebec, we don’t ask for the moon in winter. Just a comfortable home, without sneaky drafts, frozen feet, and energy bills that give us cold sweats. However, some very common mistakes sabotage comfort… often without us realizing it. Here are the five most common mistakes—and, more importantly, how to fix them.
1. Thinking that “turning up the heat” solves everything
Turning the thermostat up to the max isn’t a strategy, it’s a reflex. If your home is poorly insulated or ventilated, heat will escape as quickly as it enters. The result: persistent discomfort and a hefty bill.
👉 The right approach: make sure the heat produced stays in the house with good insulation and efficient air distribution.
2. Neglecting insulation (especially where you never look)
Between the attic, the walls, the basement, and the joints around doors and windows, there are often more air leaks than you might think. A house can be beautiful and renovated… yet still let the cold in.
👉 Remember: poor insulation means comfort goes out the window—literally.
3. Forgetting to maintain the heating system
A poorly maintained system heats less efficiently, more slowly, and unevenly. Not to mention the suspicious noise that always starts on a cold night.
👉 The simple solution: regular maintenance ensures stable, safe, and optimal heat all winter long.
4. Poor ventilation management
Paradoxically, a house that is too airtight without proper ventilation becomes uncomfortable: dry air, poorly controlled humidity, and a feeling of cold despite the correct temperature.
👉 The right balance: adequate ventilation allows air to be renewed without losing heat, for constant and healthy comfort.
5. Ignoring cold areas of the house
A freezing bedroom, a damp basement, or a living room that is difficult to heat is not “normal.” It is often a sign of a problem with air circulation or an ill-suited system.
👉 Good reflex: analyze comfort room by room rather than heating the house as a uniform block.
Winter comfort doesn’t just depend on the temperature displayed on the thermostat. It depends on a combination of factors: insulation, heating, ventilation, and maintenance. Correcting these mistakes means greater comfort, efficiency, and peace of mind.
💡 Need a professional opinion to optimize your comfort this winter?
A simple adjustment can make all the difference between “bearable” and truly pleasant. Contact us at 450-224-2941.