If you want to make your home more energy-efficient, then you need to start with your windows. Replacing your windows is one of the best ways for you to cut heat loss, and on top of this, it can also help you lower your energy bills dramatically. Good windows will help you keep your home cool in summer, and they will also help you retain heat in winter. There have been a lot of improvements made in the last few decades, and if you invest in quality windows, you may find that you can save a small fortune every year. If you want to find out more about energy efficiency and your windows, this is the guide.
Step #1 - Flashlight Test
The main reason you need to do this test is that it will help you pinpoint any leaks around your windows. You need to wait until the sun sets, and then you need to go outside. Ask someone to shine a light around the edges of your windows from inside. If you can see little dots of light through the frame, then you have an issue. If light can get through your windows, then air can as well. If you want to repair this issue, new caulk should help you to fill in the gaps.
Step #2 - Smoke Test
Some problems are big enough for you to see with your own eyes. Other leaks may be so small that you need to carry out a smoke test. If you want to do this, then shut all of the windows and the doors in your home. You also need to turn off the furnace. When you have done this, turn on your bathroom and your kitchen exhaust fans. This will create a lower pressure in your home, and it forces air through any gaps in your home. Light an incense stick and hold it right next to your windows and doors. Look to see how the smoke swirls around these areas, to see if you fixed the issue by using caulk, as listed above, or to see if you need new windows.
Step #3 - Infrared Test
Sometimes you can use tech to your advantage when it comes to your windows. Wait until it is very cold outside and then break out an infrared camera. Aim it at your home and note that hot areas will appear red, yellow, or orange. Cold will be teal, green, blue, or even black. Your windows should be yellow or green, indicating minimal heat loss. If your windows show as red, orange, or bright white, this shows that you are losing a considerable amount of heat, and this can be an indicator that your glass is failing. It is also a sign that you will need a complete window replacement to resolve the issue, as simple caulking won't do the job. If you have single-glazing, this test will show how much heat you are losing, and the result may surprise you.
Bring Greater Energy-Efficiency to Your Home Today
Having an energy-efficient home is important for homeowners. From saving you money to decreasing your impact on the environment, energy efficiency helps you, your neighborhood, and the world. Windows are just one of the places where heat or air conditioned air can leave your home. More for Less Remodeling makes remodeling and renovation projects that bring greater energy efficiency to your home simple for you. Give our team a call today.