Inefficient windows may be all that’s keeping you between staying comfortable this winter and achieving low energy bills. Although it’s a small investment of time and money, adding window insulation might be the key to a draft-free home and reasonable heating accosts.
As important as they are, windows are often the least efficient component of homes. Glass has practically no insulation value and air leaks in windows are common. Making your windows more efficient is a two-step process to stop the leaks and slow the loss of heat through the glass.
Seal the Leaks
A professional energy audit is the most accurate way to find where the leaks around the windows are. The auditors use a high-powered fan to pull the air from your home and test the temperatures with infrared cameras to find the location of the leaks and their sizes. Once you’ve identified their locations, you can seal most leaks with acrylic caulk around the frames and silicone caulk around the panes.
Add Insulation
Single-pane windows have no protection against heat transfer and gain and lose heat quickly. All you have to do is hold your hand against the glass on a cold morning to feel how cold the glass is. Dual pane windows sometimes lose their airtight seal and the insulating gas escapes. They lose their insulating properties and function little better than a single-pane window.
Window insulation is available in clear plastic kits and window film. The kits are available at home centers and online and are fairly easy to install using hair dryers. Window film has the same coatings that low-E windows have to prevent heat gain and loss. The film is also available at retail home centers and online, but take some practice to install. You can find professionals who install this film full-time for homes and commercial buildings.
Taking the time to seal the leaks and add window insulation will give you a warmer, more comfortable home with lower heating bills. To learn more, contact Powers Heating & Air, providing HVAC services for Peachtree City homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.