5 Signs Your Home Needs New Insulation Before Winter Hits (Kingston, Belleville & Brockville Edition)

1. Uneven temperatures between rooms or floors

If some rooms stay chilly while others feel warm, it often means heat is escaping through poorly insulated walls, ceilings, or attic spaces. In older homes around Kingston and Brockville, we often see top floors that lose heat fastest in winter. Upgrading insulation evens out temperatures so your whole home stays consistently comfortable.

2. Drafts around windows, doors, or outlets

Cold air sneaking in around window frames, door trims, or even electrical outlets is a tell-tale sign your insulation and air sealing aren’t doing their job. These gaps make your furnace work harder and raise heating costs. Sealing and insulating those weak points keeps the cold out and the warm air in.

3. Frozen ridges at the edge of your roof or heavy condensation on windows

Ice buildup along the edge of your roof happens when heat escapes through the attic and melts snow, which then refreezes at the eaves. Similarly, persistent condensation or even frost on windows points to warm indoor air leaking out and meeting cold surfaces. Both are red flags that your attic and wall insulation need attention.

4. Rising heating bills compared to previous winters

If your gas or hydro bills are going up even though you’re not using more heat, it’s often because your home is losing warmth faster than before. As insulation ages or shifts out of place, it loses effectiveness. Adding new insulation reduces heat loss so your furnace or heat pump doesn’t have to run as much.

5. Persistent cold floors or dampness in basements/crawlspaces

Basements and crawlspaces are common trouble spots in homes across Eastern Ontario. If your floors feel cold in winter or you notice damp, musty spots downstairs, it’s usually due to inadequate insulation at the foundation walls or rim joists. Upgrading insulation in these areas helps keep floors warmer, reduces moisture problems, and protects your home’s structure.