Why Your Home Feels Chilly (Even with the Heat Cranked Up)
It’s January in New England. The temperature has dropped, the wind is howling, and despite having your thermostat set to 70°F, you’re still reaching for a second sweater.
If you feel like you’re constantly fighting a losing battle with the cold, you aren’t alone. Many homeowners assume the problem is an old furnace or drafty windows, but the real culprit is usually something much harder to see: The Stack Effect.
The “Chimney” in Your House
Think of your home like a giant chimney. Warm air is lighter than cold air, so it naturally rises. In a home that hasn't been properly air-sealed, that expensive heat you just paid for escapes through invisible gaps in your attic—around recessed lights, chimney flues, and pull-down stairs.
As that warm air escapes out the top, it creates a vacuum that "sucks" freezing air in through the bottom of your house—your basement, crawlspace, and electrical outlets. This constant cycle is why your floors feel like ice and your living room feels drafty no matter how high you turn up the heat.
Finding the “Ghost Drafts”
Most people try to fix drafts with those "door snakes" or by putting plastic over the windows. While those can help a little, they are just Band-Aids.
Real comfort comes from Weatherization. This is the process of professionally sealing the "bypasses" where air leaks between your living space and your attic or basement. By closing these gaps, we stop the "Stack Effect" in its tracks. The result?
Consistent Temperatures: No more "hot and cold" spots in different rooms.
Lower Energy Bills: Your heating system doesn't have to work overtime to replace lost air.
Better Air Quality: Sealing these gaps also prevents dust and allergens from the attic or basement from pulling into your living areas.
Don’t Pay Full Price for Comfort
The biggest barrier for most homeowners is the cost of these upgrades. That’s where Baystate Energy Reduction comes in.
We don't want you to shiver through another winter. Because we participate in programs like Mass Save® and RISE Home Energy Services, we can help you navigate the paperwork to get the majority of your project funded.
When you choose to work with us, we can help you secure up to 75% off the cost of your insulation and air sealing upgrades. In many cases, the energy savings over the first few years completely pay for your portion of the project.
Start Your New Year in Comfort
January is the best time to identify where your home is losing energy. Our team can help you pinpoint exactly where those "ghost drafts" are hiding and provide a plan to seal them up for good.
Click here to schedule your FREE home energy assessment with Baystate Energy Reduction and let’s make 2026 your most comfortable winter yet.