Drafty house

[hunts_with_stick]

So our camp is a bit drafty and used a lot of propane in the winter due to the extreme cold. Any 5oughts on how to make it less drafty and more cozy in the winter? Are there companies out there that can come in and find out where I’m losing heat or heat coming in and then taking care of it? Also all the plumbing is in the basement. What is lowest temp I can set the thermostat at in winter without having to worry about anything (when I’m not there)? I can shut the water main off as well.

 

[RGrizzzz]

So our camp is a bit drafty and used a lot of propane in the winter due to the extreme cold. Any 5oughts on how to make it less drafty and more cozy in the winter? Are there companies out there that can come in and find out where I’m losing heat or heat coming in and then taking care of it? Also all the plumbing is in the basement. What is lowest temp I can set the thermostat at in winter without having to worry about anything (when I’m not there)? I can shut the water main off as well.

I'm not sure where you are, but our local utility company offers an energy audit program.

 

[hunts_with_stick]

Mid eastern Ohio, but that’s worth looking into for sure!

 

[Turkey Creek]

You can also buy maybe even rent the temperature/ heat signature guns that will show you on a digital screen the temperature differences. One of my buddies is a home inspector and he has posted multiple Facebook videos of using one. If it is a cabin that is not used for long stretches of time in the Winter I would personally shut off the water and drain the pipes and fill the fixtures with RV antifreeze. You can still leave the heat on real low, but it is a good piece of mind.

 

[Brian662]

I learned the hard way at my place, shut off the water and drain it down when you leave.

As far as the energy efficiency, if the local utility company doesn't have the option mentioned earlier, any HVAC outfit should have a thermal imagine camera to determine problem areas.

 

[BC Buck]

Harbor freight might have a thermal imager for construction.

 

[hunts_with_stick]

Good calm on that!

 

[swat1018]

A lot depends on the type of plumbing. I shut off the water and drain the lines in the basement, most of the water siphons off from upstairs, but I'm sure a little remains somewhere. My plumbing is PEX and the stuff is about indestructible. The only damage I have ever had is a shower head. I put RV anti freeze in the toilet and down the drains. No heat at all on all winter, unless we're there. NE Missouri.

I wouldn't try this with copper....

 

[bigboreblr]

Take a window fan blow it outside. Seal around the sides on the window maybe even use 2 if it fits. Feel around for leaks. Outlets, bad windows, bad bathroom vent check valves. Huge one is unused fireplaces. Plumbing holes for sinks and toilets leak alot of air.

Basement wood to concrete seal can be a large leak too.

Think that wall bucks? Measure the trmp surface with a heat gun. Electrical tape has a emissivity of .85. Put a piece of tape measure the temp. Lean a 2x2 ft piece of 1 inch foam board against it. Leave it there for an hour or so, them measure how much better it got.

Older hones. 10 square feet of wall equals the heat loss of 1 square foot of window.

Some places rent ir cameras.

Heat trace is cheaper than heating the whole place. Do do.e thinking add some drain valves and use a bit of rv antifreeze can be only a few minutes but save alot of money. Heat trace the very end you can't purge.