If you don’t know it yet, old and inadequate windows contribute to expensive heating and cooling costs in the home. With energy-efficient windows, you can expect to save money in the long run.
Old windows don’t do anything to make your home look attractive and appealing. Aside from that, old windows may have cracked seals and frames. And if you notice your home getting drafty and not comfortable anymore, it’s because of those cracks. If this scenario sounds familiar, you should seriously consider upgrading to energy-efficient windows.
Energy experts approximate up to 70% of lost energy in a residence through broken doors and windows, 90% of that loss takes place through the glass only. Your home windows don’t have to be several decades old to cost you a lot of money on heating and cooling. Some newer, cheaper, and build-grade windows can do that as well, even if they are only a few years old.
The issue is that these are not energy-efficient windows. When it comes to drafty windows, you’ll see the problem right away. It may also be difficult to close or open them. These are definite signs that you need to replace your windows.
Substandard and poor-quality products can only grow the movement of heat inside and outside your home. This is the cause of your increasing heating and cooling expenses.
Do I Need to Replace or Repair Broken Windows?
Some homeowners may opt to repair their existing windows instead of replacing them with newer ones.
While this option is certainly doable, it’s only a temporary solution to your draft problems and expensive heating and cooling costs at home.
These short-term solutions, such as incorporating weather-stripping material and caulk around the windows, or other window treating treatments. These short-term answers, however, only act as a Band-aid to the real, inescapable issues concerning your windows.
Masking the problems, rather than doing what you need to do could make the problem more significant overtime than it already is.
This fact is especially true if the water is already coming through the windows and into your home.
Invisible water penetration as a result of old and broken windows can result in rotting and mold growing. And as you know, mold growth and rot can deteriorate your wall significantly over time.
If you ignore the real issues and not give it the long-term and permanent solutions it needs, you’re only covering up the problem. You’d still have to deal with uncomfortable drafts in your home and, most of all, the expensive heating and cooling costs.
Also, the more you ignore the need for energy-efficient windows, the higher the costs will be when you try to remedy the issue. If you are not sure if your windows are not performing optimally anymore, it’s best to get a windows specialist to properly inspect them once you see an issue.
Saving Money and the Environment With Energy-Efficient Windows
Energy Star, which is an initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, estimated that you could be saving up to $366 every year in heating and cooling when you upgrade to energy-efficient windows certified by Energy Star. Naturally, the amount of savings will vary from household to household and will depend on many different factors, such as the layout of your home, where you live, etc.
Also, when you use energy-efficient replacement windows, you are reducing your carbon footprint by up to 12%.
Aside from windows, replacing your patio doors, sliding doors, and entry doors with their energy-efficient counterparts can significantly reduce your energy consumption.
Additional Benefits
As you know, energy-efficient windows can put an end to overheating and drafty spaces in your house, making it nice and comfortable inside. Another significant benefit these windows bring is reduced heating and cooling costs.
Additionally, by using energy-efficient replacement windows, you are protecting your furniture, artwork, carpet, and other valuables from getting damaged by UV rays. UV rays can damage household items if your windows don’t have enough coating.
Top-quality energy-efficient windows come with a coating that helps reflect UV rays away from your house, protecting your valuables.
Other benefits include less need for maintenance, noise-reducing capacities, and helping the environment by lessening your carbon footprint.