Window Installation Tips to Conserve More Energy

Windows allow the air to circulate between the inner and the outer space of your house. Improper installation will make it hard to keep the temperature stable during the seasons with extreme temperature, which can result in unnecessary expense by the end of every month.

Besides economic reason, energy conservation also contributes positively to the environment. Your air conditioner does not need to be turned on for the whole day if opening the windows alone are enough. Or you do not need to waste electricity by heating up too much during the winter. Being frugal in using electricity saves the natural resources used by the power plants and minimizes their wastes.

Here are window installation tips that will allow you to save more energy:

Weatherstripping the windows

Weatherstripping is a process of sealing gaps. Even the smallest gaps contribute highly to the temperature gain and loss of your house. Depending on your windows’ type, you might need to seal the gaps between sashes, or between the glass and the frame.

Felt, foam, rubber, vinyl, and metal are the weatherstripping materials. Rubber and vinyl are very affordable, easy to use, and are compatible with most window types. They provide average sealing, but their look can’t match with just any architectural designs, especially the vintage one. Felt is the cheapest material for weatherstripping, but it cannot stand rainy season. Felt placing is also limited to the gap between the glass and the frame of a window. Foam weatherstripping offers tight sealing and is sturdy enough to face all kinds of weather. But its major downside is on its look. Metal is the best weatherstripping material and once you install it, you might not need any replacement even after some years.

Adding storm windows

Believe it or not, storm windows can keep the temperature inside of a room with more than twenty percent efficiency. Unfortunately, it does not work well with single glazed windows, because the temperature outside will still penetrate through the glasses.

With double glazed windows, storm windows can significantly enhance the insulation. You should choose for the triple-track glass storm windows because they are durable and can withstand all season. When summer comes, windows with proper insulation can cut the energy spent on the air conditioner.

Window Coverings

There are many options for window covering. Awning, blinds, film coatings, and mesh screen can reduce the temperature loss as well as improving the aesthetic of the house.

Awning prevents the sunlight to infiltrate directly into the windows. It is best to put on the windows facing either the west or the east, where the sun rises and sets. Besides the heat-blocking feature, having an awning during the summer brings more personality to your house and gives it a sophisticated appearance.

Installing interior blinds to the windows is also an alternative to block the sun heat during the hottest season. The gaps between the slats are adjustable, so you can still control how much air is allowed to enter the room.

Film coating is very effective to repel the sun heat during the summer and prevent the heat loss during the winter. Also, to apply film coating to your windows, you do not need to have a professional skill. You can just cut the film sheets to the window size, and with a mixture of soap and water applied to the inner sides of the window and the layer that touch each other, you can press the sheet to stick on the desired window.