Feeling less than thrilled about the high cost of heating your home during the winter? You’re not alone. Up to 30% of a home’s precious heat escapes through its windows and doors, and if those windows are doors are deteriorating, that figure will only climb. If your heating costs have risen out of control this year, our team at Kiser Construction is here to help. As an established window and door contractor, we know what to look for when it comes to damage or deterioration that might be costing you hundreds each year in heating costs. Curious if your windows and doors might be the culprits behind your exorbitant electric bills? Let’s take a look.
Single-Pane Glass Windows
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with single-pane glass, it’s definitely not your most energy-efficient or insulating option. If you had a professional thermal scan of your home, you’d find that a large percentage of your indoor heat—about 30%, to be specific—escapes through your windows. And, unfortunately, if you have single-pane windows, you’re losing far more heat than you would with double- or triple-pane windows.
So what can you do? Upgrade your windows! While winter may not be an ideal time to install new windows, it is the perfect time to get ready for a spring installation. Yes, you’ll have to suffer through the remainder of the winter with exorbitant energy costs, but come next winter, you’ll enjoy far lower heating bills. At Kiser Construction, our window contractors are always ready to work with you to determine the most energy-efficient and aesthetic windows for your home—yes, even in the dead of winter.
Outdated, Leaky Windows
Are your windows leaky? Is that why your energy bills have skyrocketed over the last couple of months? If you’re not quite sure how to determine if you have window leaks, we’ve got you covered. While the most accurate method of locating window leaks is scanning your windows with an infrared camera, here’s how you can track down air loss even without one:
● Visually inspect your windows. Look at the exterior corners, examine the caulking, and look for any gaps between the window and the window frame.
● If you have single-pane windows, check out the window glazing. Not sure what the glazing is? It’s the putty that surrounds the glass and holds it in place. If you locate cracks or other forms of deterioration, those are probably the culprits behind your heat loss.
● Examine the weather stripping around each of your windows (or the ones you suspect are leaking). If you locate any damage, be sure to replace the weatherstripping promptly.
● Finally, conduct a smoke test. To do this properly, first, make sure all of your doors and windows are closed. Turn off any appliances that operate using combustion, such as your furnace and water heater, and turn on your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans to create an air vacuum.
● Once you’ve finished setting up your appliances, light an incense stick, and pass it near the edges of each of your windows. Look for changes in the way the smoke moves, and if you detect inward moving smoke at any point, your home is drawing cold air in from the outside. You’ve found your suspected air leak!
● If you don’t detect any air leaks around your windows, conduct the same test around your doors.
Do Your Entry Doors Need an Upgrade?
What if you don’t find an air leak around your windows or doors? What could be causing your heat loss if no leaks are present? Most often, the culprits are deteriorating or poorly insulated entry doors. How can you determine if it’s time to start thinking about upgrades? Here’s what to look for:
● Warping and weathering. If your home features wood entry doors, know they won’t last nearly as long as fiberglass or steel. If you notice weathered or warped wood, there’s a high chance your door is allowing cool air to seep in from the outside.
● Rust and dents. A damaged or deteriorating door has lost its structural integrity, which means it can allow cool air and moisture inside your home.
● Window moisture. If your entry doors feature windows, keep an eye out for moisture in between the panes of glass. Over time, your door’s window seal will deteriorate, so if you notice tiny water droplets accumulating, it’s probably time to think about contacting a door contractor.
● Operational difficulties. Opening and closing your entry doors should never feel like a workout. If you have trouble operating your door, there’s a significant chance that the door has warped or its hardware has shifted, which can allow warm air to continually escape from your home.
Need Window and Door Replacement? Contact Kiser Construction
At Kiser Construction, it’s our goal to help you keep your home in top condition year-round. That’s why we offer a plethora of home improvement services in addition to our fire damage restoration, water restoration, and storm damage repair specialties. If you believe your high winter energy costs are due in part to damaged or deteriorating windows and doors, we’re always happy to help you find the most energy-efficient solution. To learn more about our window and door installation services, or to request a quote, contact our team at 763-633-2010.
If you are in need of emergency restoration services following water, fire, or storm damage, don’t hesitate to contact us on our emergency line at 612-518-8852.