Easy steps anyone can do today to improve their home comfort

There are several steps any homeowner can do today to improve your comfort, reduce/ eliminate frost on the windows, and allow you to live in all or most of your home as comfortable as possible. However, these problems can often be addressed today before the real fix of improving your home’s thermal performance.  Understanding how your home operates and adjusting to its existing systems can enhance comfort and reduce frost buildup. Here’s a guide to managing these issues effectively using strategies that don’t require adding insulation or construction/ buying new equipment. 

Understanding the Problem

1. Frost on Windows:
   Frost forms on windows when the surface temperature of the glass falls below the dew point, allowing moisture in the air to condense and freeze. This typically occurs in homes with high indoor humidity and poor thermal performance of the windows. Double- or triple-pane windows reduce frost formation, but these can even frost if humidity levels are too high.

2. Uncomfortable Temperatures:
   Temperature issues—such as a hot second floor in the summer or a cold first floor in the winter—often stem from uneven air distribution, poor airflow, and improper thermostat settings. Without proper management, these factors can make parts of your home feel like different climate zones.

Immediate Actions to Address Frosty Windows

Lower Indoor Humidity

Controlling indoor humidity is the first step to preventing frost.

Use these methods:

• Turn down the whole house humidifier; start by turning it off to see if that makes a massive difference.
• Run Exhaust Fans: Use bathroom and kitchen fans during and after activities that release moisture, such as cooking or showering. Run them for 15–30 minutes afterward to ventilate the space fully. 
• Open Curtains and Blinds: Closed window coverings trap moisture-laden air near the glass, increasing the risk of frost. Keep them open during the day to allow air circulation.
• Limit Moisture-Generating Activities: Reduce activities like drying clothes indoors, overwatering plants, or boiling large pots of water for extended periods.

Improve Air Circulation

Poor air circulation around windows contributes to frost buildup.

Try these steps:

• Adjust Vents: Ensure supply and return vents are not obstructed by furniture or curtains, especially near windows.
• Run Ceiling Fans: Set ceiling fans to rotate clockwise at low speeds during the winter to circulate warm air downward gently.
• Move Furniture: Keep furniture away from windows to allow better airflow.

Dry Window Surfaces

Frost forms more readily on already-damp surfaces.

To manage this:

• Wipe Condensation Regularly: Use a cloth or squeegee to remove condensation on windows daily.
• Use a Dehumidifier: A portable dehumidifier can quickly lower humidity levels in problem areas if frost persists despite other efforts.

Immediate Actions to Address Uncomfortable Temperatures

Optimize Thermostat Settings

Efficient thermostat management is key to maintaining even temperatures:

• Set Fan to “On” Instead of “Auto”: This keeps air circulating continuously, balancing temperatures between floors.  With smart thermostats, set the fan “on” 45 minutes every hour during waking hours, typically 7 am to 10 pm, during these extreme temperatures.
• Use Incremental Adjustments: Avoid large temperature swings on your thermostat, as they strain your HVAC system and create uneven heating or cooling.  Resist the urge to let the home cool off too much at night or while you are away.

Maximize Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system may need to be operating more efficiently.

These small changes can help:

• Clean or Replace Filters: A clogged filter reduces airflow, making it harder to maintain consistent temperatures.
• Check Vents and Registers: Ensure they are fully open and unobstructed for optimal air delivery.  If you have wooden registers on your floors in those coldest rooms, consider buying separate registers for extreme temperatures.  As an experiment, take the register out of the floor and see how much different the room feels without the register in place; if the improvement is dramatic, buy a replacement to use during the coldest weeks/ months of the year and then change it back or leave the new simple register in place.
• Balance Dampers: Adjust dampers in your ductwork (if accessible) to direct more air to areas that need additional heating or cooling.  Cover supplies in those areas that are less important to push more air to the other areas of the home in need.
• If you have a smart thermostat, get a remote temperature sensor and place the remote sensor in the least comfortable portion of the home you regularly use or wish to use.