Have your energy bills gone through the roof? Is your house always too hot, despite a constantly running air conditioner?
If so, the problem could be your windows. Old windows tend to be drafty and they can create a lot of energy waste, whether you’re heating or cooling.
If you want to reduce wasted power, then your windows can be a great place to start. These five modifications will keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter without driving up your energy costs.
1. Hang Some Curtains
If you think you could be losing energy through your windows, one of the simplest and most practical things you can do is to install heavy window treatments like blackout curtains on all your windows. These will insulate your residence so the sun doesn’t constantly shine into the house and heat things up.
They also keep air-condition coolness or heat inside, depending on the season. As a bonus, blackout curtains can improve your sleep when they’re in your bedroom, which makes them a solid solution to another common problem.
2. Screen Things Off
If you’re not enthused about heavy curtains, you have plenty of other options for insulating your windows. Solar screens block heat transfer without eliminating all the light, the way blackout curtains do.
Though they can keep as much as 90% of UV light from entering your home, even the heaviest screens reduce visibility only by 40%, so your home will still be well lit. You can even continue to grow plants after you’ve installed solar screens.
3. Opt for Low-E Film
Much like solar screens, low-e film is an effective way to filter out UV rays and reduce heat transfer without eliminating all visible light, and you can easily install them yourself.
There are a few things you should know, though. In particular, if you live in a hot climate, you’ll want films that have a lower solar heat-gain coefficient (SHGC). People who have to try to keep their home warm in colder climes should opt for a higher SHGC rating.
Also, if you don’t own your home, you should look for low-e films that can be removed, because some applications are permanent.
4. Go for Double Glazing
When you install new windows, it’s always a good idea to opt for double-glazed windows that have two panes of glass. What should you do if your windows are in good shape despite their single-glazing, though?
One option is to have a second pane of glass installed. You may want to hire a professional to do this, since it demands a high degree of decision, but adding another pane of glass is definitely cheaper than replacing all your windows.
5. Stick to Storm Windows
Adding barriers is a great way to reduce energy loss when you’re working with otherwise high-quality windows. Sometimes your only choice is to replace your windows altogether.
When that’s the case, in addition to opting for double-glazed windows, you should also look for low-e storm windows. These are pretreated with the sort of coating used in low-e films, but they’re also stronger than typical windows, which means you’ll lose less energy around the edges.
Such windows will be a little more costly than other options on the market, but they’re designed to last, and they’ll pay for themselves over time in energy savings.
Energy efficient windows treatments are one of the best investments you can make for your home, so don’t waste another minute (or another dollar) trying to heat and cool an inefficient home. You have plenty of options to insulate your windows against energy waste; all you have to do is pick the one that matches your needs the best.
Article Submitted By Community Writer