The Truth About Energy Savings and Windows – Part 3: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Today’s energy efficient windows have loads of features designed to cut down your electric bill, but you need to remember that there are other factors that can help windows achieve that 20-25% savings on your electric bill. In short, other parts of your home have to work with your windows to become truly energy efficient.

Check your doors

It’s nice that your window can block the drafty winter winds from entering your home, but they won’t be able to do much if your door isn’t properly sealed. Remember that your entry door is the single biggest opening your home has. Fail to seal your doors properly and you’re in for a cold winter, energy efficient windows or otherwise.

Don’t forget the ceiling

The ceiling isn’t just there to hide the wires of your indoor lighting; it’s also designed to form a heat barrier that keeps indoor air at a constant temperature (see a theme here?). Make sure the ceilings don’t have holes or any form of damage or all that air your windows try to contain, will just escape up and straight to your attic.

Make sure your HVAC is healthy

Almost every part of your home that’s designed for energy-efficient insulation has one purpose: make things easier for your HVAC. Do you know what your airtight windows will do to your home without something circulating air? Stale air is what you will have. You don’t have to check your system every week; 3 to 4 times a year will do.

Moderate your consumption

This one’s not directly connected to how your energy efficient windows function, but there’s no point installing them if you’re wasting electricity in the first place. Energy efficient windows are designed to reduce your home’s overall energy consumption; not become an excuse to keep your lights on 24/7.

That wraps up this blog series about energy efficient windows. Sure, they may not cut down your electric bill in half, but every little bit of efficiency can help you save a lot in the long run.