Leaky Windows – Our Silent Home Energy Hogs

Replacement of Leaky Windows can turn your home into an Energy Star!

Spring is the perfect season to evaluate the effectiveness of your home’s energy performance. We’ve made it through another winter and now it’s time to address everything we put off in the cold season. The most common areas of a home for heat loss and drafts are leaky windows and doors. Energy efficient windows are one of the best ways to update your home while simultaneously reducing energy use and your carbon footprint.

Are your leaky windows and doors working for you or against you?

All windows should allow ventilation, reduce ambient sounds, and supply insulation value to control heat loss. Most homeowners are also looking for windows that are attractive, durable and help keep their home safe and comfortable.

Here are seven considerations for checking your existing windows and doors this fall:

Leaks and Drafts

Your windows should bring all the beauty of the outdoors into your home, and keep out insects, wind, and rain. If the elements aren’t staying outside, you may want to consider new windows.
Take a look at your current windows for damage or rot from moisture or insects. If a window frame is cracked or actively leaking, it will need to be replaced immediately. It may seem like a minor concern now, but leaks can quickly multiply through hidden damage to the interior of walls or foundation. Leaky windows are the number one

Temperature Regulation and Efficiency

Inefficient windows can prevent your air conditioner or furnace from keeping up with the temperature set on your thermostat. Having trouble controlling the heat in summer and cold in winter could be a sign that your existing windows are too drafty.

New windows are built with extensive weather-stripping systems and include super-insulated glass. High-performance glass is now 70% more efficient than some of the original insulated glass products of the 1960’s and 1970’s. To encourage more homeowners to improve energy efficiency in their home, the Energy Star program included a tax credit incentive in 2016 for replacing windows and doors.

Ease of Operation

Windows that are hard to open, simply don’t get used. Is cleaning your windows such a major undertaking that you just skip it altogether? A window that doesn’t function correctly is kept locked. Newer venting windows can be easily cleaned from the inside of the home with innovative hinging and tilting mechanisms.

Lead Paint Safety

Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint, especially older homes with painted windows or trim. Children are most vulnerable to lead poisoning, so in homes with children under 10, it’s important to remove possible lead exposure. One solution is to replace windows including the trim.

Damage Liability

If a ball came crashing through your window or the glass in a window is damaged beyond repair, it should be replaced. After a window is damaged, the exposure to the elements can cause damage to the frame or allow a clear path for air leakage.

Sound Reduction

For many people, it is hard to sleep at night because of external noise. Pedestrian traffic, road noise, and neighborhood pets could be controlled with a new window. A window with low sound
transmittance can create the peaceful sanctuary required for sleeping or reading.

Degree of Wear

Windows that are chipped, worn, water stained,or simply have an undesirable design are perfect candidates for replacement. Window options from manufacturers continue to grow as innovation drives the industry. New windows not only perform better, but provide a clean, updated look for a home. Many real estate listings specifically mention window updates. Just another project potential buyers can check off their list.

In Madison, we are fortunate to have several quality window and door installation companies that can help you with leaky windows. If you are considering a replacement project, be sure to check online reviews, BBB ratings, and talk with your friends and neighbors about their experiences and recommendations.

ABOUT THEBCO

For more information on replacement windows from Sunrise including our flagship Restorations line call us at 608-249-2905 or check us out online at www.thebco.com. Or feel free to stop by our showroom at 4126 Robertson Rd, Madison, WI 53714 to check out some window design options in person!

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