Stay Warm in Your Attic

An unfinished, uninsulated attic can be expected to get as cold as the outdoors. That means that items stored in the attic can freeze, and that it can get too cold for you to spend much time there. Fortunately, it can be fairly easy to add some heat.

1. Check with a contractor to see if your existing heating system can be extended to the attic. Often this is the least expensive and most efficient option.

2. Space heaters can generate enough heat to keep a small room comfortable. Direct-vent space heaters require a hole to be cut in the wall, while electric space heaters do not require ventilation.

3. If your house is already heated with a boiler, consider creating a radiant wall in the attic. A contractor can run the necessary tubing through the attic kneewall.