When winter hits, most of us brace for two things: cold mornings and climbing heating bills. But before you start piling on extra blankets or nudging the thermostat upward, there’s one surprising place you should be looking for savings—your roof and attic.

According to roofing expert Jeff Berzolla, CEO of Instant Roofer, many homeowners are unknowingly losing a huge chunk of heat through gaps, leaks, and under-insulated attic spaces.

“Your roof and attic are like a chimney for your wallet,” Berzolla explains. “If there are gaps or poor insulation up there, you’re literally heating the neighborhood instead of your home.”

The good news? A few simple DIY fixes can dramatically improve your home’s heat retention and save you hundreds of dollars this winter. Here are the six genius hacks Berzolla recommends.

1. Boost Your Loft Insulation (Your Home’s Winter Coat)

Insufficient attic insulation is one of the biggest reasons homes lose heat. Hot air rises—and if the attic isn’t properly insulated, it simply escapes through the roof.

Most older homes have only 3–4 inches of insulation. Berzolla recommends increasing that to 10–12 inches for maximum efficiency.

💸 Savings: Upgrading insulation can cut heat loss by 25% and save up to $300–$600 a year.
🔧 Cost: DIY blown-in insulation runs about $1,200–$2,000, usually paying for itself in 3–4 years.

2. Seal Gaps With Expanding Foam

Tiny cracks around skylights, attic hatches, and roof penetrations may seem harmless—but they’re actually major escape routes for warm air.

A $10 can of expanding foam can seal these problem spots in minutes.

Focus on:
• Chimney surrounds
• Vent pipes
• Electrical or plumbing penetrations
• Attic access points

A little foam goes a long way toward keeping heated air where it belongs.

3. Add Reflective Foil Behind Radiators

Want a near-instant heat efficiency boost? Install reflective foil behind radiators to bounce heat back into the room.

Without foil, roughly 30% of a radiator’s heat warms the wall instead of you.

💸 Cost: Under $50
🔥 Impact: Improves efficiency by 10–15%

Berzolla puts it simply: “It’s basic physics—redirect the heat where you want it.”

4. Use a Chimney Balloon to Stop Heat Loss

If you have a traditional fireplace, your chimney may be acting like an always-open window. Even with a damper, warm air escapes constantly.

A chimney balloon (around $30) plugs the flue and keeps warm air inside. It’s especially useful for fireplaces you rarely use but don’t want to permanently seal.

5. Fix Small Roof Leaks Before They Cause Big Drafts

Tiny roof leaks are easy to ignore—until they create both water damage AND cold drafts.

During daylight, head to the attic and look for pinholes where light shines through. These small gaps let cold air flood in and warm air escape.

Temporary fix: roofing cement
Permanent fix: call a pro when you can

Berzolla warns, “A tiny hole is like leaving a door cracked open all winter.”

6. Weatherstrip Your Loft Door

Your attic access door may be one of the biggest air leaks in your entire house. Add weatherstripping around the edge and consider insulating the backside of the hatch.

Cost? About $20.
Savings? Significant.

Think of it as sealing the final gap in your home’s thermal armor.

How to Spot Hidden Heat Loss (3 Quick Checks)

Berzolla also shared three smart ways to uncover heat leaks you might miss:

❄️ Check for ice dams

Icicles forming on the roofline mean heat is melting snow unevenly—a red flag for poor attic insulation.

🤲 Feel around light fixtures

Recessed lighting can be a direct heat escape path. Run your hand around the fixtures on a cold day to check for drafts.

🌨 Watch how your roof melts

If snow melts faster in some areas, those “hot spots” indicate insulation gaps.

Why These Fixes Work (and Why They Save So Much)

“These hacks address the biggest culprits: thermal bridging and air leakage,” Berzolla explains. “When heated air escapes, your system works overtime to maintain comfort.”

He says proper insulation and air sealing can reduce heating costs by 20–30%, translating to $400–$600 in savings for the average household.

“You can knock out several of these hacks in a single weekend,” he adds. “And even doing just three can drastically cut your winter heating bills.”

About Instant Roofer

Instant Roofer, founded in 2022, uses AI technology to provide instant, accurate roofing estimates for over 129 million U.S. homes—without sign-ups or spam. Homeowners can compare real-time local pricing, choose materials, and connect with vetted contractors. For pros, the platform offers free calculators, CRM integration, and exclusive leads.