If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think too much about your windows. But if you’re looking to save money on your energy bills, it’s time to start paying attention to them. Windows are one of the biggest sources of energy loss in a home, so making sure they’re energy-efficient is key. But, how do you know if your windows are energy efficient?
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How to Check the Energy Efficiency of Your Windows
Do you know how much energy your windows are wasting? To help homeowners determine which windows in their home are the most energy-efficient, the Department of Energy has developed a simple sequence of steps homeowners can use to determine just how much money they’re losing through their windows.
Step 1: Use Visual Inspection to Detect Leaks
Visual inspection is likely one of the easiest ways you can find air leaks in your home. Look for cracks, holes, or even tiny pinholes to determine where the outside air is coming in and how much it’s costing you each month.
Step 2: Use An Infrared Laser Thermometer To Measure Temperatures
After you’ve found all of the potential culprits that could be causing air leaks, you’ll need to measure the air pressure in your home. This will help you determine if there is a large difference in air pressure between indoors and outdoors. Then, using an infrared laser thermometer, compare the temperature reading inside your home with what it is outdoors to know which areas are losing energy.
Step 3: Use U-Value Kit or Try The Smoke Test
The next step is finding out how much of your home’s energy is being wasted through your windows. One of the most common ways you can do this is by using a u-value kit.
The U-Value Kit measures heat loss around different types of windows in your home for both heating and cooling seasons. Using these measurements, you’ll find out where your biggest energy leaks are and whether or not you need to replace them.
If the U-Value Kit isn’t for you, another way to conduct a test is by using the smoke test. All it takes is a candle and some matches to find out which windows in your home aren’t as tight as they should be. Simply light the candle and wave it around the perimeter of each window. If you see wisps of smoke escaping, your home’s energy efficiency is in trouble.
Step 4: Replace Energy Efficient Windows
Insulate any other potential leaks that were discovered in steps one and two to make your home more efficient. The Department of Energy has resources for homeowners who want to make the switch. In fact, many states offer free services like rebates and consultations when it comes to replacing your windows.
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Surprising Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows
It is very important for homeowners to understand the importance of their windows and how they can help save them money on heating and air conditioning costs through having energy-efficient windows. Unfortunately, though one of the most common parts of homes, they are not utilized to their fullest capacity. Therefore, people do not realize the benefits of having energy-efficient windows.
Energy-efficient windows can benefit your home in many ways, which may be surprising. Some of the most notable benefits include:
- Increased comfort: Energy-efficient windows help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer, increasing your overall comfort.
- Lower Heating and Cooling Costs – By keeping your home more comfortable, you’ll use less energy to cool or heat it, leading to significant savings on your monthly utility bills.
- Reduced noise pollution: Energy-efficient windows help block out noise from outside, making your home quieter and more peaceful.
- Improved air quality: Energy-efficient windows help keep pollutants out of your home, improve air quality, and keep you and your family healthier.
- Increased property value: Installing energy-efficient windows can increase the value of your home by up to 10%.
- Reduced CO2 Emissions – When you upgrade to energy-efficient windows, you not only save money on your energy bills, but you also reduce your home’s carbon dioxide emissions. This can help improve air quality and contribute to saving the environment.
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Quality Windows Replacement in Toronto
If you want to be an environmentally conscious homeowner, there are many ways that you can do so. One way is by installing energy-efficient windows in your home. Not only will this help the environment, but it also has several surprising benefits for homeowners themselves!
So, when was the last time you checked out whether or not your current set of windows were good enough? If you need help choosing the right window and installing them, turn to our experts at Eco Choice Windows & Doors. We offer free consultations and flexible windows installation scheduling to make sure we work with any needs or timeframes you have going into 2022! Contact us!
