winter in Alaska

5 Ways to Check for Poor Insulation in Your Alaskan Home

Our Alaskan winters truly test the limits of our home’s insulation, and our sky-high energy bills tell the tale. If your home has an insulation issue, you will eventually notice it. A poorly insulated home can affect our comfort, our pocketbooks, and our health. If your insulation isn’t working properly, it can affect our air quality. How so? Well, without proper insulation the additional moisture in our homes can cause mold to grow in as quick as 24-48 hours. Are there any other ways that you can tell if you have poor insulation?

We can share just a few that you can you keep an eye on.

1. Condensation – If your home has little to no insulation you will notice condensation problems in the walls. This is because insulation materials help to separate the ranges of hot and cold. If it’s cold outside and your heat is on, the interior of your home will be warm, but the temperature difference between the outside and inside can create condensation.

If your HVAC components aren’t properly insulated, such as the register boxes and boot connections, you’ll end up with the air around the box having a different temperature than the box itself and condensation can form when the unit is in use. Checking the insulation will help to prevent microbial growth, especially if the box is in the attic. It can help prevent mold in the drywall and vents.

On the flipside you can also have too much insulation in your attic which can block vents and prevent enough air coming into the attic to push out hot, humid air thus creating microbial growth. If you used spray foam, which is a more affordable form of insulation, it can do too good of a job and trap moisture between the two layers and lead to wood rot, mold bacteria and other things that can impact your air quality before you notice any leaks. It’s a good idea to do routine inspections. A dehumidifier is a great preventative tool to add to an attic with spray foam insulation.

2. Too much noise – If you’re noticing that you’re hearing echoes or noises from other rooms it can indicate that insulation is missing or has gaps. Adding rugs or carpet to a room can help absorb some of the sound, but you should test of echoes using a moderate tone of voice to be aware of missing insulation. Proper insulation helps regulate temperature and should muffle sounds transferring.

3. Ice dams and frozen pipes – If you’re noticing that you have frozen or burst pipes, which can be a real problem during our Alaskan winters, you might want to check that your water pipes are properly insulated. A lack of adequate insulation during our cold winters can lead to ruptured water lines and ice dams, or large icicles.

4. High energy bills – If your energy bills are higher than your neighbors it can indicate inefficient insulation, or your other major systems such as air conditioner, water heater and so on.

5. Air leakage – Air leakage or drafts that can be a sign of poor insulation. Insulation is supposed to help maintain the temperature of your home. Drafts can be a sign that your home insulation is insufficient. Using an Infrared Thermography Scan can help you to locate missing insulation within your walls.

These are just 5 simple ways to help you to determine if you need to upgrade your insulation. Keeping an eye on a few simple things can save you a lot of money and protect you and your family’s health while you enjoy your Alaskan home.

in winter in Alaska

7 Things to Declutter After Holiday Season for a Fresh Start

The holiday season is full of joy, happiness, and excesses. We can’t help but collect gifts, decorations, baking supplies, packaging and more that we just don’t know what to do with. Now that the season is over, and we are beginning a brand-new year in our Alaskan homes it’s the best time to sort through these belongings to declutter and donate the excess. One bonus to this project is that you could recover some cash by selling a few of the items. Once you’ve decluttered you can start to organize and capture some calm as we move ahead into the new year. How do you know where to start? We are here to help!

Get rid of those duplicate gifts!
We are grateful for our loved ones, but sometimes those special gifts lead to us having duplicate items around the house. If you have found that you have more than you need of any item considering selling or donating the older item.

Freshen up your bed sheets and towels!
During the holidays we often have guests and pull out our best guest sheets and towels. You may have noticed that some of these items have seen better days and it’s time for them to be swapped out. If you ended up buying new sets, take a minute and declutter the older items. If you still haven’t picked up a new set, January is a great time for bedding sales. You can plan for next season and replace the older sets.

Take a moment to sort through that winter sports gear!
All those winter sports we love here in Alaska require us to maintain items to keep them in good working order. If you’re planning on going ice skating take a moment to make sure the skates still fit and are still sharp. Check skis. snowboards, and their accessories as well. If any item needs replacing now is the time to donate or sell the older items rather than them hanging around unused.

Sort through winter coats and accessories!
Not that you’ve had time a few months to embrace our beautiful Alaskan winter, you are for sure aware of the gloves, coats, hats, and mittens that have seen the most love and use. If you’re noticing that there are certain items that are just stuffed in the back of the closet untouched it might be time to donate or sell any item in good condition.

Check your holiday decorations!
Holiday decorations can easily start to accumulate over the years. We often collect family heirlooms, kids’ creations, or something shiny and new from the store that season. Take a moment to evaluate your decorations for any items that are damaged or never used. If they are a keepsake put them in a safe storage, otherwise take a moment to toss, donate or sell items that have outlived their use in your Alaskan home.

Take inventory of your baking supplies!
Are you finding that your cupboards are overflowing with pie plates, cookie cutters, Bundt pans and more? If you’re starting to realize you must close the cupboard and run, it may be time to donate or sell.

Thin out holiday dresses and outfits!
We love our clothes, and sometimes we have an emotional connection to them, but if you ask yourself if you truly love it and are going to wear it again and the answer is “No” it’s time to let it go! Take an honest look at holiday clothes and shoes and donate or sell anything that is just gathering dust.

These are just a few of the things you can declutter after the holiday season and there are many more that we didn’t get to. This general guideline can help you on your way to having a cleaner, calmer, and clutter free start to your new year in your Alaskan home.

in Home Decoration / winter in Alaska

Preparing your Alaskan Home for Winter

As the summer months come to an end and the colder days approach, it’s important to start preparing your Alaskan home for winter. The harsh conditions of winter can be tough on any home, but especially in Alaska where temperatures can drop well below zero. Below are some tips to get your Alaskan home ready for winter.

Inspect your home’s heating system
One of the most important things to check is that your heating system is in good working order. Contact a licensed professional to perform a thorough inspection of your heating system and any necessary repairs or maintenance. You don’t want to be caught with a broken heating system during the winter months. Brrrr…

Check your insulation
Our Alaskan winters are notoriously cold, so it’s important to make sure your insulation is up to par. Take a moment to check your attic, walls, and crawl spaces for any damage or areas that need to be filled. Taking this important step to ensure that your home is properly insulated can help reduce heating costs and keep your home cozy during the winter months.

Seal up drafts
Even the smallest of drafts can prevent your home from being heated efficiently. Check any doors, windows, and electrical outlets for drafts. Simple solutions such as caulking, weather stripping, and foam insulation can help seal them up.

Prepare your pipes
Here in Alaska our winters get so cold that it can cause pipes to freeze and burst. To prevent this, make sure to insulate any exposed pipes in unheated areas such as attics or garages. Don’t forget to remove any garden hoses and shut off the outdoor water supply to prevent freezing.

Clean your gutters and downspouts
We don’t want to allow dangerous ice dams to form in winter. Before winter arrives, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of any debris. This will help prevent ice dams from forming on your roof, which can cause damage to your home’s interior and exterior.

Stock up on supplies
It’s important to always be prepared. Alaska can be hit hard by winter storms, making it important to stock up on essential supplies such as food, water, and emergency supplies. It’s also a good idea to have a backup generator in case of a power outage.

Consider adding a backup heat source
If some areas of Alaska we experience extreme temperatures, consider adding a backup heat source such as a wood stove or propane heater. This will provide warmth in case your primary heating system fails.

Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat can help reduce heating costs by adjusting the temperature when you are not home or at night when you are sleeping. This can save you money on your heating bills and reduce energy waste.

Preparing your Alaskan home ready for winter involves taking a few steps to ensure your home is warm, safe, and prepared for any extreme weather conditions. By taking these simple steps you can be well on your way to a cozy and comfortable winter season in your Alaskan home.

in winter in Alaska