Tips For Saving Energy With Your Windows
ShareWhile many people try to save energy in their home by turning off lights or limiting their HVAC system usage, another way to do it is with your windows. Consider these tips to help ensure your windows are not causing high energy bills.
Check The Windows For Leaks
When you're running your air conditioner, you'll want to take steps to make sure that your windows are now causing all that cool air to potentially leak outside your home. That's why you want to go around your house and inspect each window for leaks. If you have a window that doesn't have proper insulation, there may be holes or cracks around the window's edge that cause cool air to escape. Even a small hole allows air to get through, which will raise the temperature of your home and cause the HVAC system to use more energy to compensate.
Some tips to prevent air leaks include adding caulk in places where the air is leaking, adding new weatherstripping along edges of the moving window frame to form a tighter seal, or even replacing the window with a new one. Meet with a local window contractor to find out more info on how much it will cost to replace all your aging windows with new ones. If you install casement windows, you'll save even more than with other window styles.
Prevent Heat From Getting In
Another trick to saving energy with your windows is to prevent heat from getting into your home. This is something that can easily happen during the day when the sun is shining through an open window, since it will contribute to heating up your home and making more work for your air conditioner.
Some tips to prevent heat gain during the day are to close blinds and curtains in front of your windows. It may leave your home a bit dark, but if you're working during the day, it will not affect you at all. When you arrive home at the end of the day, your home will be cool and your air conditioner will have used less energy.
If you still want to let light in during the day, there are some other tips that allow you to prevent heat gain. You can install awnings outside your window, which should cut down on how much direct sunlight your home receives during the day through the windows. You can also install a window tint, which can cut down on heat gain by blocking the rays from the sun.