No one wants to waste their money. But if your home has old or inefficient doors and windows, chances are you’re throwing your hard-earned money right out the window.
Installing energy-efficient doors and windows can decrease your energy bills, since up to 30% of your home’s heating and cooling energy is lost through your windows, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Not only will having energy-efficient windows and doors save you money, but it will also make your home more comfortable.
Doors and windows come in many different styles and materials, and some are better than others at insulating your home. Here are a few of the ways you can check your doors and windows for energy loss at any time of year.
TAKE A LOOK
If you want to know if your windows and doors are allowing heat to escape and cold air to rush in, start by simply taking a look.
Do you see disintegrated caulking? Are there cracks, holes, or any gaps where outside air could get in? Check for chips in your window frame and see if there are any leaks or water pooling. For your exterior doors, see if the weatherstripping is damaged.
Make sure to test if you can easily open and shut your doors and windows. If you can’t shut your windows, they may be stuck or rusted, and your doors may have loose screws or a faulty latch. Whatever the reason, if these key parts of your home aren’t working properly, it can cause energy loss.
DO SOME AT-HOME TESTS
There are some simple tests you can do with items you probably already have at home. Hold a lit candle near your windows and doors to see if it flickers or goes out entirely. You can also hold your hand near your windows and doors to test if you can feel any air blowing in. This test can be done during any season, just use your hand to feel for hot or cool air entering into your home.
You can also find air leaks by shining a flashlight over your windows and doors at night. Have someone else stand outside while you flash the light over any potential gaps and cracks. They’ll see the rays of light if there are major gaps.
USE A U-VALUE KIT
You can get the exact measurement of the thermal transmittance of your windows and doors with a U-Value kit, which tells you how effectively they’re insulating your home. The lower the U-Value, the better. Just follow the directions on the kit to get an idea of how well your windows and doors are insulating your home.
USE AN INFRARED LASER THERMOMETER
Taking the temperature of different areas of your house can help you understand how energy-efficient your windows and doors are. Using an infrared laser thermometer, first get the reading of the temperature from somewhere in your house. Then, check the temperature of your windows and doors. If the temperature is colder or warmer by your windows and doors, you likely have some air leaks, meaning a loss of energy.
COMPARE YOUR BILLS
If your utility bills are increasing, it could be for reasons other than energy loss, but if your bill has gone up significantly compared to the same time last year, it does mean you’re consuming more energy. This could be just another sign that your windows and doors are allowing energy to escape from your house, causing you to crank up the air conditioning or heat.
CONSIDER A PROFESSIONAL HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENT
Another option to find out about your home’s energy efficiency is to get a professional home energy assessment.
An energy assessor can give you information about the rooms in your house, will look at your past utility bills, and their assessment will typically include a blower door test and a thermographic scan. You’ll receive a report and recommendations on how to decrease your home’s energy use.
TAKE ACTION FOR A MORE ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME
Whether you need to caulk some areas, redo weatherstripping, or replace your windows and doors entirely, Miller’s Building Supply can help.
Browse our buying guide to get tips on buying exterior doors, storm doors, replacement windows, and new windows, then stop in and see us at 1819 E. Monroe Street in Goshen, Ind.