You Feel Drafts in
Your Home
Even the
best windows will allow a slight amount of air infiltration, but it should
never be something you can feel or notice.
Your first
instinct may be to apply weather stripping to the gaps however, noticeable
drafts often indicate an air leak caused by more than missing or damaged
weather stripping. In fact, sealing and weather stripping should not be
considered as anything more than just a temporary fix.
So, what's
the best solution to avoid these drafts? Replacing your windows entirely.
You Have Difficulty Shutting or Opening Your
Windows
If you can't
open or close your windows properly, it's time to get new ones.
This is
especially true for older double hung and single hung windows, which have
issues with balance. The balance is the
mechanism that keeps the window up when you open it. When the balance fails,
the window will no longer remain up when opened and can slam shut, posing a
danger.
You See Condensation Inside the Glass
If you have
double-or triple-paned windows and notice condensation or fog inside the glass,
you either need to replace the glass or the entire window - depending on the
seriousness of the issue.
Condensation
and fog between the glass panels can indicate seal failure. When the seal
fails, moisture is able to enter the space between the panes of glass and as a
result, air will condense on the glass. And when this happens, the insulated
glass is no longer doing its job - which is to create a barrier to cold air.
Condensation
in between the panes of glass will leave a white film which is caused by
calcium deposited on the glass. If you see this white film, even if there is no
visible condensation, it's a safe bet that the insulated glass unit has failed.
Your Energy Bill is Expensive
If your heating and cooling costs are high,
it's likely that you have an inefficient furnace, or old windows that are
simply not energy efficient.
So how do you know if you should replace your
windows?
According to the Department of Energy's (DOE)
website, "If your home has very old and/or inefficient windows, it might
be more cost-effective to replace them than to try to improve their energy
efficiency. New, energy-efficient windows eventually pay for themselves through
lower heating and cooling costs, and sometimes even lighting costs."
What are your best bets for energy-efficient
windows?
The DOE suggests looking for windows that
have at least two panes of glass or ENERGY STAR® labeled windows. These are
high-performance windows which meet efficiency guidelines set by the Department
of Energy.
If your
windows need replacement, call Kruse Home Improvement today at 860-877-0775 for an estimate.
