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I just don't understand why it is that when the temps are in the low singledigits on the °F scale (which would be negative digits on the °C scale) and the wind blows, I have a cold draft wheezing through the living room of Ye Olde Farmhouse..

Actually, it isn't just confined to the living room...

It's chilly in here!!

406 posted on 02/12/2015 8:01:20 PM PST by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: NoCmpromiz

There are three things at work in your situation:

Ye Olde Farmhouse has inadequate insulation. But even if it had proper insulation, the wind would get in because of

Ye Olde Farmhouse is not properly sealed against air infiltration. It’s not entirely a bad thing. You’ll never suffocate for lack of fresh air, or even have to worry about a lower oxygen level, the familiar “cabin fever”. And thirdly,

Ye Olde Farmhouse has inadequate thermal mass to absorb and deflect the chill wind.

You can do several things. You can dig a hole and drop your house inside it. This is called “Earth-sheltering”. A minor problem with this is that termites discovered this trick long ago, and they will appreciate your having brought them lunch.

So the next thing is to make sure your hole keeps the termites out, say by having a concrete lining.

Now, you might not like living in a hole, so I would suggest that you put lots of big windows up at the top to let sunshine in when it rolls your way. And since it would heat up your home in the summertime too, you might want to have some shade to keep it out when the sun is high.

This is all called passive solar heat in an earth-sheltered super-insulated house. Don’t forget to make sure to have enough oxygen.

Or, let’s call this idea Plan B, just build up your fire a bit more when the wind comes cutting through.


407 posted on 02/12/2015 8:32:14 PM PST by NicknamedBob (Do your light housework in your dreams. What else is sleep for but to clear away the cobwebs?)
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