Theoretically, if a house is perfectly insulated, the only heat loss in the winter would occur when people open the door to enter or exit, or when exhaust fans are turned on. Of course, reducing heat loss to zero is practically unachievable, given the limitations of space within walls or attics, and given that it is desirable to have windows. Nevertheless, because our climate is severe, we must do what we can to at least minimize heat loss in the winter. When heat is lost through the roof, there can be detrimental effects such as abnormal melting of snow and consequent ice damming.
Much of Winnipeg’s housing is old and the houses were built with only a small amount of insulation, usually wood shavings or gypsum powder. Houses built before 1930 usually have no insulation in the walls. With the higher cost of energy today, upgrading your home insulation is the best way to minimize heat loss.