How to Make Windows More Energy Efficient

Everybody wants their utility bills to be lower. One of the best ways to do that is by getting windows that are more energy efficient. According to the Department of Energy, roughly 30 percent of a home’s heating energy is lost through the windows. Keeping even a fraction of that lost heat inside could add up to substantial savings.

However, heat isn’t the only thing lost, since cool air can escape out of windows in the summer as well. Even if getting brand new, energy efficient windows from your trusted Denver window company isn’t in the cards, there are still ways to increase the energy efficiency of your windows in the meantime.

Get Rid of Leaks

One of the easiest ways to help with energy efficiency with older windows is to identify where the air is leaking out – or in, depending on the temperature outside! There are cost-effective methods to getting rid of these issues on older windows. Identify any gaps in the frame, and then fill them with caulking or weatherstrips. If weatherstrips are already installed, you can use caulking over them.

A more complete method to getting rid of multiple leaks around a window is by installing window inserts. Window inserts are installed into the existing window to create essentially another pane for the window. This reduces the amount of airflow that is escaping. These options are durable and can give a boost to energy savings while helping to maintain the home’s original look by keeping the original frame.

Work on the Glass

A large amount of heat gets lost through the glass itself, and there are items that can be placed on the glass to block the sun. There are a number of solar window films that can be applied directly to the glass to eliminate some of the heat from coming in during the summer months. This can also be a temporary solution. This film can be applied during the spring and removed in the fall. However, keeping the film on year round will help block some if those harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, allowing for a more consistent temperature inside.

Another thing to look at is the number of panes in your window. Double-pane windows can be a great benefit to energy efficiency, because these windows are designed to keep the solar heat outside in the summer while leaving the home heat inside in the winter. These windows work to reduce energy costs because they have argon sealed between the two panes. This allows the visible light to pass through, but the heat stays out. These can help deliver immediate energy-saving results.

While buying new windows might not be in the budget right away, some of these tips can help provide some energy savings in the meantime. There are a number of other ways to get more energy efficiency out of your windows if replacement isn’t an option. For more information, reach out to the experts at JDI Windows today.