Keeping Your Windows Properly Maintained

At Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions, we often get asked what homeowners can do to lower their energy bills. One of our favorite answers might surprise you.

Most homeowners don’t think of their windows when it comes to energy efficiency, unless, of course, they’re considering opening them on a nice day to save on electricity. It surprises them when we say that maintaining their windows can have a positive effect on their utility bills.

The truth is, even closed windows will often let conditioned air out. In addition, there is heat transfer through windows because they don’t have any insulating properties. (An exception to this is double- or triple-paned glass. The air between the panes does provide some insulation, but the glass itself does not.)

So what is a homeowner to do? As great as it would be to install all double- or triple-paned windows, that’s not always a cost-effective solution.

One alternative is to install storm windows instead. These can be placed on the interior or exterior of your windows. There is a broad range of different types and prices, and some provide more efficiency than others. As long as they are installed properly, however, all storm windows should improve your energy efficiency to some extent.

Another option is to do some projects around your home. Here are some of the best projects to get a good return for your time:

• Window treatments. Whether you choose curtains or blinds, you’ll get benefits year-round. Window treatments block heat gain in the summer by reflecting heat back out toward the outdoors. They also act as an insulator in the winter. As a bonus, they add character to any room.
• Weatherstripping. If you’re one of those homeowners who likes open windows, it’s smart to place weatherstripping around the parts of your window that open. This prevents air leaks.
• Caulk. Another way to prevent leaks is to caulk around your window frame. Keeping your conditioned air inside should boost your energy efficiency significantly.

If you have more questions about making the windows in your Orlando-area home more energy efficient, contact Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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