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In addition to adding insulation to your attic, you may want to add a radiant barrier. A radiant barrier works by using reflective material, such as foil, on the attic floor. As heat penetrates the roof and enters the attic, the radiant barrier reflects the heat upward and back through the roof. If you receive a lot of direct sunlight on the roof, using both a radiant barrier and insulation in your attic can provide significant benefits.

Whether plaster walls should be insulated depends on whether the walls are at particular risk of moisture problems. In many cases, you can insulate plaster walls, while in others, it's a poor decision because of the lack of a vapor barrier. Choose a reputable insulation contractor to help you decide if and how to proceed to increase your home's energy efficiency.

Your house may be cold even if the heat is on because of bad insulation, gaps in doors, small holes pulling hot air from the home, or excess humidity. The heater itself might be malfunctioning. For this problem, you’d need to talk to an HVAC pro. If you have a gas heating system (most do) this should be considered an urgent job as natural gas could be leaking in your home.

For a DIY solution to protect an outdoor faucet from freezing, you can craft a cover using spare rags, a durable plastic bag, and duct tape. However, be aware that this method may not be as effective as a store-bought cover. Fabric like rags or old towels can absorb water, which could freeze and cause problems. While a DIY cover can work as a temporary stopgap, a proper outdoor faucet cover is inexpensive (often $5 or less), easy to install, and readily available, making it the recommended long-term solution.