Andrew Schuster, AIA, is a registered architect in New York State who designs high-performance buildings at Ashley McGraw Architects D.P.C. in Syracuse, NY. He is also the Outreach Director for the American Institute of Architects Central New York (AIACNY) Chapter and believes that great design backed up by the right science can improve lives and promote healthier, happier communities.

By Andrew Schuster, AIA

With winter coming, it's time to get our homes ready. Much of what we can do to protect our home from the snow and save money on our heating bills is simple and easy to find online. However, if you'd like to make bigger changes to enhance the livability of your home in the winter, we've looked at some common options.

1. Replace that fireplace

A great way to refresh your living space is to put in a new heating appliance in that old fireplace. A traditional wood-burning fireplace sucks more heat out of the house through your chimney than it adds from the heat of the fire. A glass door slows air leakage, but if you really want to save money on your heating bills you should look at a woodstove or gas insert. They'll provide a backup heat source while efficiently heating your living spaces, and they make a great centerpiece for an interior redesign.

2. Add south-facing windows

Large south-facing windows will help catch the sun's energy in the winter and warm your living space. By sizing them to work with your house's design, and orienting them south to southwest, your architect can help you gain free heat and brighten your home during the winter months. An insulated curtain will keep that heat in all night, and large roof overhangs or a deciduous tree can make sure that you don't gain unwanted heat in your house during the summer months.

3. Build a sunspace

A sunspace is type of a porch, but its designed to capture heat like a greenhouse. A well-designed sunspace can double as a screen porch in the summer, and will allow you to enjoy being on that porch well into the cold months. By staying warm from the sun during the winter days, a sunspace will let you open your now-inside windows during the winter and you'll feel like summer has come early. It's also a great place to store outdoor potted plants that need extra winter protection (and bring much needed life to winter) while cutting your heating bills by protecting an exterior wall from winter winds.

4. Add a porch

Even if you aren't interested in a sunspace, having a covered entry will keep snow out of your house and moisture out of your door sill. This is especially important on north-facing walls. By protecting your doors you'll increase the life of them, and a well-designed porch will add beauty and value to your home. You'll also be able to enjoy the protection of a porch all summer long with a place to sit outside on rainy days. A good architect will make sure that the design enhances your home and does its job without looking tacked on.



5. Insulate your home

If your home was built before the 1970s, chances are it has little to no insulation. Insulating your home could cut your heating bills in half. Attic insulation is usually straightforward and easy to install, but you should consult a professional before you insulate your walls or you might be risking black mold in our harsh climate. Your architect will match the type of insulation to the type of construction of your house. Insulating your walls is best done from the outside of the wall, so you should definitely do this if you're replacing your siding. Having a good designer on board to help with your siding selection will help you improve the look of your house at the same time that you improve its performance.

6. Open up your interior

Having lots of small rooms will mean that some are cold and some are warm because your heating system doesn't serve them all equally. Also, most homes only have one thermostat, so different rooms will be different temperatures because they share a control point in a different space. An open plan living space will spread the heat more evenly, and you can better take advantage of the heat added by your south windows or sunspace. If you've wanted to do an interior remodel, an experienced designer can help you create a space that enhances the way you live and works in harmony with the climate you live in.

Always consult an architect or a structural engineer before moving walls or adding openings in your home, because making structural changes could put your safety at risk without a professional review. They will not only bring practical expertise to keep you safe; their years of experience designing spaces for people to enjoy means you'll get a beautiful improvement too that suites your taste and budget.