Old home windows can become a growing problem for a couple of reasons.
For starters, they may start to lose their appearance over time from the repeated effects of weather and other environmental wear and tear that might be endured with each passing year.
This can also lead to a dramatic decrease in their energy efficiency and that might start to prove costly over time as they begin to let your expensive heated and cooled air escape outside. Poor energy efficiency leads to running your heating and cooling system over longer periods of time, jacking up your energy bills in the process.
Don’t continue to literally throw money out the window, take these helpful steps for making your current windows more energy efficient, courtesy of your friends at Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement.
Diagnose the Problem
Cracks and gaps can start to form in and around your windows, letting cold drafts in and your warm out. Locating where this is occurring will allow you to fix the problem in an appropriate manner.
But diagnosis isn’t always easy, some cracks are much thinner and smaller than others and tougher to see with the naked eye. That doesn’t make them any less effective at letting air seep in and out.
You can try feeling around with your hand. This could be especially helpful on windy days, or use a lighter or candle to see where the flame is disturbed by air movement.
Caulking and Weather-stripping
Both of these options are ideal solutions for repairing compromised seals and worn gaps around your window. However, before you employ either of these options, be sure to thoroughly clean the window and the area around it.
This includes the glass and surrounding regions of the window, which will ensure that whatever repair you implement will be the most effective.
Caulking may look intimidating but it’s really very easy, it just takes a steady hand to cover the crack thoroughly and evenly. Weather-stripping is a good idea for closing those gaps between the window and the jamb. Both will maximize your windows’ energy efficiency as soon as you apply these repairs.
Window Film
Sometimes a homeowner will use an additional layer of glass to increase the energy efficiency of their existing home windows.
But unless you know what you’re doing or you’re willing to pay someone to do the work, this option can get costly in more ways than one.
That’s why many people choose energy-efficient window film to get the job done. This works in much the same manner as additional glass in that it creates another layer to minimize conduction and convection and improve your windows’ efficiency.
Some of these films come with UV coating which can also help block harmful rays from the sun and keep direct sunlight from excessively heating up your home.
That will go a long way to protecting your belongings from sun damage and keep your skin from feeling the potentially harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet light.