Because the hot summers and chilly winters around Fort Wayne can place a heavy load on your air conditioner and furnace, it pays to invest in your home's energy efficiency. Weatherizing windows is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to do that.
Make Some Quick Fixes
Air leaks around your windows and window frames let in heat and humidity in summer and waste your warm air in winter. They also give air contaminants an easy way in. To minimize leakage, use V-strip weatherstripping to seal the sides of double-hung and sliding windows, as well as vinyl or metal casement windows. For a faster, cheaper way to seal leaks around the window panes and frames, apply rope caulk.
Cracked window panes also leak air. If replacing the glass isn't in your budget just now, you can temporarily seal the leak by applying clear weather-seal tape or even clear nail polish.
As a fast and budget-friendly alternative to storm windows, consider shrink film insulation for weatherizing windows during cold weather. This can cut heat loss through the glass by up to 50 percent. Correct installation is essential, though. Aim to leave a gap of 3/8 to 3/4 inch between the plastic and the glass.
Decorate for Savings
Installing reflective blinds and keeping them closed on hot, sunny summer days could reduce your home's heat gain by up to 45 percent. Hanging neutral-colored drapes with reflective backings and using these to block the sun could give you a 33 percent reduction in heat gain.
Insulated curtains are another way to control heat loss and gain through your windows while keeping your interior design style. These curtains combine insulating foam that slows heat exchange, a vapor barrier that controls moisture, and a heat-reflective film. Together, these layers keep your room temperature more stable so you need less heating or cooling. As an added benefit, they also help soundproof your windows to keep out annoying street noise.
For more information on weatherizing windows, contact Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning for more information on our weatherization solutions.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about weatherizing windows and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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