Your home’s most overlooked energy leak
Are your rooms drafty in the winter? If you get near the windows in the summer, do you find hot spots? Does it seem that your thermostat can’t ever catch up? If you answer “yes” to any of those questions or if your home feels uncomfortable, your windows might be part of the problem.
Comfort
Windows affect how your home feels. Poor window seals let outdoor air in and indoor air out. In the winter, cold air sinks near windows, making the whole room cooler. In the summer, heat radiates through glass, making the whole room hotter. When one room is uncomfortable, the whole HVAC system works harder. Some other ways to know if your windows are leaking energy are outside noise entering the home and condensation or frost on the windows.
Cost
Windows impact energy bills. In fact, windows can account for 25-30% of heating and cooling energy loss in a typical home. The more energy that escapes, the more you pay to replace it. HVAC systems have to run longer to maintain the desired temperature, and those small leaks add up over time.
Grid impact
Windows matter beyond your own home. Inefficient windows lead to more HVAC use, and heat waves or cold snaps push energy demand even higher. When many homes are losing energy all at once, the entire system feels it. Efficient windows and homes help stabilize the grid, and in turn, energy reliability for all CEMC members.
Tips to improve window efficiency:
- Thermal blinds
- Weather stripping
- Caulking
- Window film
- Thermal curtains