How Much Energy Is Wasted Through Old Windows?

Each winter, we see much of the same: snow, ice, plummeting temperatures, and frigid chills. It only takes stepping outside to remind you of the chilly breeze lurking about.

Unfortunately, if you have older windows, you may also be reminded of the low temps even when inside your home. Older windows are notorious for drafts and may leave you begging the question: “just how much energy is wasted through my old windows?”

Keep reading to learn more about inefficient older windows and how professionally installed new ones can help keep your home warmer and more energy efficient.

All windows are made of glass, which is a natural conductor of heat. Unfortunately for older windows, that means heat from the inside of your home moves out. When you think about the fact that many older windows are made from single-pane glass with aluminum frames, it’s no wonder that your house feels chilly in the wintertime, even though you may be blasting the heat.

If your home has older windows, you will probably see this reflected in higher HVAC bills throughout the winter (and during the hottest summer months, too). The Department of Energy estimates that windows contribute to anywhere between 25-30% of your home’s energy bills. The quality of the installation itself can also impact energy efficiency – however long ago that may have been!

Buying replacement windows for your home is a huge consideration. Most homeowners will only replace windows once in their home’s lifetime. The expense and inconvenience of replacing windows are significant factors to weigh.

However, when replacing old and inefficient windows, the benefit of new replacement windows cannot be understated. Today’s replacement windows are made with at least double-paned glass, and you can even get triple-paned. While you may think additional layers are what keep the heat inside your home during the winter, that’s not entirely the case. Replacement windows can be filled with argon or krypton gas between panes to provide better insulation, translating to less heat loss in the winter.

Additionally, consider what the U-Factor rating is on the replacement windows. A U-factor rating is the rate at which the window conducts non-solar heat flow (meaning your HVAC-related heat). The lower the numbered U-factor rating, the less that heat flows between the panes in the window and the more efficient the window itself is. Any homeowner considering replacement windows should look for low U-factor windows, as the benefits extend year-round.

Finally, if you are considering upgrading your home’s current older windows to new replacement windows, make sure to select a professional company to do the removal and installation. Summit Exteriors 301 is a locally owned and operated company in the Southern Maryland area. We provide our customers with exceptional service and craftsmanship and are dedicated to customer satisfaction. We treat each home we work on as if it’s our own.

Replacing windows is a huge undertaking and one you don’t want to have to repeat. Trust the experts at Summit Exteriors 301 to install new energy-efficient windows in your home — you’ll feel the difference! Give us a call today!