The utility room (Washer/Dryer) is always colder by a good 10 to 15 degrees. Now I assume this is due to the dryer vent which goes directly outside. What can I do stop the air leakage and keep this room warmer that it is now.
Answer:
You can insulate the duct and for that matter, you might want to insulate the walls in that room. Try this: When insulating any below-grade masonry wall it is best to build (in place) a 2X4 structure with studs 16" O.C. and pull it an inch and a half from the wall in order to accommodate R-20 fibre insulation bats without compressing them. The insulation actually goes from the sub-flooring above to within eight inches of the concrete floor and the 6mm polyethylene vapour barrier goes two inches lower so it can be pinched and stapled to each side of each stud. This keeps the insulation bats from sliding down and at the same time, the system avoids a lot of condensation problems. It also permits a bit of heat loss to the drainage tile along the exterior perimeter of the footings. In areas where frost is a problem, it is important that drainage at this point not be impeded.
