Windows are great for things like style or natural light, but they can be a huge energy drain for your home. For both cost and carbon footprint, no one wants to consume more electricity than they need, so what can you do to your windows that will improve efficiency? Here are 5 things you can do to improve the thermal efficiency of your windows.
- Cracks: Any chips or cracks in your window may be weak spots for heat to slip through (whether in or out). Making sure all of your windows are in proper operating condition can greatly improve your utility bill.
- Weatherstripping: Edge of windows can be incredibly susceptible to temperature as well. If your window is not making a proper seal with the outside world then you will be losing energy through these cracks.
- Covers/Film: Things like window covers or window tint will be able to deflect temperatures. While it seems like they would only keep the outside heat from coming in you will find they are effective at keeping heat in your home during the colder months.
- Replacing Windows: Sometimes windows get old and need to be replaced. Windows do not last forever, so at the end of their life you should replace them.
- Glass Upgrades: The more panes of glass on your window, the better. While double-paned windows will be more expensive than single-paned windows, the savings in your utility bill should be noticeable.
Windows are one of the weakest points in a building for losing temperature, so make sure to keep up on them as well as possible. Always keep your windows up-to-shape and updated as needed.
