Recent winter storms have delivered wild wind gusts and serious wind chills. But why did the cold winds outside make so many people shiver inside?

The answer has to do with the way air moves into and out of buildings. Energy experts like those at Evergreen Home Performance know this movement as the stack effect; you know it as the reason your floors are cold and the wind seems to blow inside.

Here’s what happens: Cold air sneaks in through your home’s foundation walls and rises up and out through the attic.  More wind outside means more air movement inside, typically through tiny leaks, cracks, and “chases” that add up to the equivalent of an open window.

Targeted air sealing, especially in the basement and attic, is the best way to manage the stack effect, and Evergreen Home Performance can help. Schedule a FREE one-hour energy consult to learn how air sealing and insulation upgrades can help you stay warm – even when the wind blows.