Homes that save energy can save homeowners a bundle on their electric bills. One of the easiest ways to do this is to install energy-efficient windows in your home. After all, a typical home loses about 25% of its heating and cooling energy through old, outdated windows.
If you want to save on your electric bills with new windows, you can learn more below. You can find a company that installs high-quality, energy-efficient windows here.
How To Know If You Need New Windows
Many people take the windows of their homes for granted. But the windows that you see every day in your home could be costing you a lot of money. How do you know?
If your house was built 10 or 20 years ago, the firm that built it likely reduced costs by cutting corners on the windows. Builders know that most consumers don’t understand how much of a difference inefficient windows make on their electric costs. But builders definitely know how much they can save by using inferior windows.
Also, if your home was built 30 or 40 years ago, the windows are probably highly inefficient. For example, there are homes built in the 1980s that still have single-pane windows in the southern US.
If you are familiar with summer heat in the South, you can imagine how much heat is transferred through those windows in the middle of the day in August.
Also, you can verify if your windows are inefficient by checking if they are hot to the touch in the summer and cold to the touch in winter.
Next, if your air conditioner is running almost all day during the summer, this indicates the sun is heating the home through the windows.
Increases The Value Of Your Home
Many people drag their feet on replacing their windows, but installing energy-efficient windows can add significant value to the home. One estimate finds that putting in new vinyl windows has a 70 percent ROI when the house is sold.
Also, homebuyers today are more sensitive to energy efficiency and environmental concerns. They could be pushed away if they discover that their ‘dream home’ has outdated windows that will need to be replaced at $500 or $600 per unit.
Reduces Noise
Most of us replace our windows to save on electric bills and make the home more comfortable. But have you ever considered how those old windows could be letting more noise into your home?
New windows with insulated frames and triple-panes can make a substantial difference in noise from cars, barking dogs, and more. In addition, many people who replace their windows often comment how much quieter their home is. When you have less noise in your home, it’s more peaceful and you can get a better night’s sleep.
Enhances Curb Appeal
Many of us don’t think about the windows in our home. But some home buyers notice when the windows of a house are outdated. Some of the windows in homes built in the 1980s are cheap, aluminum frame products with single panes that are old-fashioned and unattractive.
When you put new triple-pane windows in your home, the difference is clear. And it can make your home more appealing in a hot real estate market.
Easier To Maintain
Windows are designed to last for decades, but they all need care from time to time to maximize their lifespan. Older windows may need more attention because the wood frames need to be painted and refinished regularly to avoid rot.
That’s why some builders opted for aluminum windows decades ago – they’re inexpensive and require less maintenance. But aluminum windows transmit heat in the summer and cold in the winter, meaning your electric bills rise. And you’re sweating in July and shivering in January!
That’s why new vinyl windows are often the product of choice. They provide great insulation like wood but are easy to care for, like aluminum. Many vinyl windows require no care other than occasional cleaning with something simple like Windex.
Keep A Consistent Temperature
Energy-efficient windows are fantastic at blocking the sun’s heat from entering your home. But, as noted earlier, one of the obvious signs that you need new windows is when your AC never shuts off on a hot summer day.
Old windows allow too much heat to enter the home, so your AC can never cool things down. When your air conditioner doesn’t shut off for eight or 10 hours per day, you’ll notice that your summer electric bill can rise $100, $200, or even more each month.
New windows keep your home cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and keep more money in your pocket.
Improving Your Current Windows
If you aren’t ready to replace your old windows yet, there are still several things you can try to save on your utility bills:
- Look for leaks: One of the most common ways windows lose energy is through leaks around the frame. To check, light a match or lighter and place it close to the edges of the window. If you notice the flame moving, this means air is leaking.
- Fixing leaks: There are several ways to address leaky windows. You can use caulk on the outside of the window to seal any leaks that you find. Or, if you have a wood windowsill, it may be rotting, so replacing that should help a lot.
- Add solar screens: Solar screens are placed over the window in place of your regular window screens. These come in various tints, depending on how much you want to reduce sunlight entering the home. They will make your home a bit darker, but they’re less expensive than new windows and will keep it cooler in the summer.
Many people want to improve their homes for comfort, appearance, and increased value. New windows may not be the first thing that most of us think about, but no doubt, putting in new ones will make a huge difference.