It’s that time where the season is changing. Along with rising temperatures comes a rising energy bill. Where is all that air conditioning going? The most likely culprit would be out the window. Unless you’ve upgraded your home lately, you have old and energy deficient windows. If you’re looking to combat rising electricity bills, considering a window replacement is one of the first steps you should take.
What about the Pane?
Windows come in all varying degrees of thickness. Most homes were built with single-pane windows. These windows consisted of little to no insulation from the outside elements. In the winter, the windows may get frost on the inside depending on how low the temps dip. Conversely, in the summer, the intense heat has been known to warp the glass. When it comes to shopping for windows, you want to go at least double-paned or higher. The thicker the glass, the better the window will be at keeping cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It will also prevent a better sound and pollen barrier.
What about Wind?
If you live in the south, you know all about hurricane season. From June 1st through November 30th, the local weatherman spends a bulk of his time studying the tropics. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, impact-resistant windows may be something worth investing in. Before a hurricane, the news is filled with scenes of people using plywood to keep flying debris from breaching windows. What if you just had impact-resistant windows? This is a product worth investing in, as plywood doesn’t allow for much airflow and obviously, it makes your house very stale and dark.
No matter what product you wind up going with, know that you will yield a high return on your investment. This will happen in the form of energy cost-savings as well as added equity to your home. As always, before attempting any home improvement project, you should consult with a professional. Door replacement and window replacement is a key to keeping your money flowing in, not out.