Who says Quebec winter says intense cold

The intense cold currently impressing many in Quebec raises the question: can we preserve our property and its various support systems: plumbing, electricity, heating, etc.?

What should we do when temperatures drop so low or fluctuate drastically?

Staying Comfortable at Home Despite the Cold Outside

When the temperature drops below -38 degrees for more than 2 hours, Health Canada issues an extreme cold warning. During these times, it’s best to stay indoors. However, how can we maintain comfort at home when wind, snow, and extreme cold are factors that make it challenging for heating systems to function properly?

1. Maintain the ambient temperature at least at 19°C

As a general rule, we recommend setting lower temperatures in less-used rooms and bedrooms, for example. However, in the case of extreme cold, we make an exception to this recommendation. We suggest maintaining a temperature of 19°C in all rooms of the house.

Moreover, did you know that a higher ambient temperature can prevent your pipes from freezing and, in turn, avoid breaks that cause water leaks when they thaw?

2. Seal the doors and windows

Doors and windows are sources of cold air infiltration and heat loss. It is wise to limit the entry of cold air and heat loss by installing weatherstripping. In fact, this step could be done at the start of every winter.

3. Strengthen insulation in less common areas

As mentioned earlier, heat escapes from your home in several ways. When insulation is not optimal, it is just another way to make the heating system work harder. As a result, you will see your electricity and heating bills soar!

To address this weakness in your property, there are several ways to maximize insulation. On one hand, you can seal problematic openings in the attic or upper floors of your house (hatches, doors, plumbing vent columns, electrical conduits, chimneys). On the other hand, you can reinforce ceiling insulation.