Did you know that one-third of a home’s heat loss occurs through improperly sealed doors and windows, costing the typical homeowner hundreds, perhaps even thousands of dollars each year?
How to Test For Drafts
Figuring out where drafts are coming from can be challenging—the most likely culprits are the spaces around doors and windows. To locate the source of a draft:
- On a windy day, light a candle, a smoke pencil (sold at hardware stores), or even an incense stick, and move it slowly around your door and window frames.
- Any specific spot where the smoke wavers or the candle flame moves may indicate a leak. In this case, smoke doesn’t indicate fire, but could indicate where your energy dollars are getting burned!
If there are leaks around the door or window casing, use expanding spray foam to seal up larger holes (greater than 1/4 inch wide), and silicone caulk for smaller spaces.
If you’re getting drafts from around your doors, replace the weather-stripping. Sometimes you may need to move the door jamb’s strike plate further to the outside of the door jamb (away from the closing door) by about a quarter of an inch so that the door is slightly more difficult to close all the way. Once closed, however, it will seal much tighter.
Windows are a different story. If your windows are more than 20 years old, or you notice significant drafts from your windows even if they’re sealed well, it’s time to replace them. Newer windows are light years ahead of older windows in terms of energy efficiency.
How to Choose the Right Windows
Windows are rated primarily by their U-values, which are a measure of the rate at which heat passes through the material. Another factor used to rate a window is by its R-value. In contrast to a U-value, an R-value is a measure of the window’s resistance to heat. The lower the U-value and the higher the R-value, the more energy-efficient the window is. Look for a U-value of 0.25 or lower, and an R-value of 4 or higher. It’s particularly wise to choose ENERGY STAR–qualified windows, which could save you some money in energy bills (as much as $450 per year per window) and you may qualify for a tax rebate. Other features to look for are:
- Glazing: Windows with double or triple glazing (which refers to the number of layers of glass used) have higher R-values.
- Low-e coatings: Made of thin semiconductor film, low-e coatings reduce incoming heat and keep your house cool, making them ideal if you live in a warm climate.
What type of window should you choose?
Several types of home windows are available on the market. If you want to be truly energy-efficient, casement windows are the way to go. Casements open outward on a side hinge and usually are the best-sealed and most energy efficient windows available. Awning windows, which open outward on a top hinge, and sliding windows, which slide open horizontally, are moderately efficient. Double-hung windows, which slide open and closed vertically, are the least efficient type of window because they don’t seal well. Ironically, double-hung windows are the most common. Replacing double-hung windows with casements will save you a significant amount of energy.
If you’re on a budget (who isn’t?), you can usually replace double-hung single pane windows with replacement double pane windows. Double pane windows have two panes of class with an air space between them for greater energy efficiency. Air is actually a great insulator when it doesn’t move. When your replacement windows are installed, take the opportunity to add insulation around the jambs if possible.
Window Installation
New windows won’t help you save energy if they’re installed incorrectly. Unless you’re relatively handy, pay a professional install your new windows, and after the work has been completed, check each window yourself with the draft test explained above. No matter how efficient the windows are, they won’t be able to do their job of keeping your house airtight if there are cracks and spaces between the windows and the walls.
Old Barn Window Photo by Feodora Umarov
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Good post Ron … especially with the highlight on the correct installation of the window.
A note regarding low e coatings for windows – there are at least two types depending on your climate. A good explanation with illustration can be found at http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/buildings/basics/windows/how/solar_gain.htm .
I forgot to ask- where could I find more info. on that great looking ‘share the knowledge’ bar you have on this blog?
That is the Sexy Bookmarks plugin.
You can find it at http://sexybookmarks.shareaholic.com/
What do you think the bottom line savings are for a typical home, against money spent in improvements?
It is amazing the difference windows make. Before we remodeled our 70 year old house, winters were brutal. I would stay as close to our little wall heater as possible for months at a time. Once we replaced all the windows with energy efficient models, I felt like my leash had been cut and I could get away from the wall heater. The difference in our electricity bill only added by my joy!
Melissa Tosetti
Informative post! It’s not uncommon for windows to leak, but it’s not always easy to judge whether it’s worth attempting a window seal repair or if it’s time to simply have the window replaced. Trading windows out always depends on our financial stuations. However now as a result of competition in the market, the use of cheaper materials and improved manufacturing techniques, it’s possible to get your windows replaced without having to spend a fortune.