Secure Your House From The Chilly Air Right Now

You may not be aware of the condition of your home’s windows, but you will notice the signs when they are not working properly — you keep turning up the thermostat in frustration as the indoor temperature doesn’t seem to be getting any warmer, you walk around the house wearing layers of winter clothing and you go to bed shivering if you’re not covered in blankets. These familiar signs all point to the fact that your windows are letting cold air into your home and they desperately need to be replaced.

If you are not convinced that these are signs to get new windows, you can get a second opinion from a professional and have them conduct an energy audit — they will come to your house to inspect every single corner to confirm where energy is being wasted. If you don’t want to spend money on an expert, you can conduct your own energy audit and check for drafts around your windows. One quick way to find air leaks is to hold a stick of lit incense next to a closed window—if the smoke moves away from the glass, then drafts are getting through. For larger leaks, you can simply stick your hand in front of your closed windows on a windy day and feel if the air is getting in.

The way to solve this major problem is to get window replacements and have them installed by seasoned professionals. A poor installation will ruin the protective qualities of the best windows, allowing air leaks to spread throughout the house. You should get your replacements from a reliable company that has been in business for a long time. If you do some research you might be able to find one that has an official website that is filled with helpful information and real-world home maintenance tips for homeowners, like how to prepare windows for the winter or how to control window condensation in the summer.

You should have energy-efficient windows installed in your home to get optimal protection from cold air leaks — these windows are designed to keep the outdoor temperatures outside of the house and to reflect the indoor temperatures back inside. This reduces the need to use energy from heating appliances, which will shrink the size of your carbon footprint and lower the costs of your hydro bills.

What you should look for with your energy-efficient windows:

• Approval from Energy Star
• Health Smart certification
• Low emissivity glass
• Moisture-resistant frames
• Weather-stripping
• Professional installation

Replacing your old windows with high-quality energy efficient ones is the ultimate way that you can stop cold air drafts from getting indoors. This renovation is an important investment that will end up helping your home’s thermal retention, reduce your energy use, and lower your hydro bills—most importantly it will guarantee that you feel comfortable in your own home.