Are Windows more Important than Insulation? -Series 1 of 3

Are you living in an older house? Chances are your home is poorly insulated. The lack of window insulation, in particular, can be a major problem for older homes.  This means higher energy bills and uncomfortable temperatures inside the home. But are good windows more important than insulation in the walls and attic?  In fact, the Department of Energy states that “heat gain or heat loss through windows is responsible for 25 to 30 percent of residential heating and cooling energy use.” To start with let me suggest some easy tips for insulating your windows and then we’ll compare that cost with adding insulation in your attic. 

Why window insulation is important

Making sure that windows are property insulated is absolutely crucial. Several important benefits of window insulation include:

  • Improving your HVAC system’s effectiveness – Keeping a home warm or cool is easier with insulated windows. Improving a window’s energy efficiency helps your HVAC’s efficiency. Better windows mean fewer air leaks out of the home, which means your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard.

  • Lowering your energy bills –Given that the HVAC system won’t have to work as hard or as long to keep your home cool or warm, you can expect those monthly energy bills to drop dramatically when you insulate the windows.

  • Keeping every room a comfortable temperature If the windows are insulated, then the temperature in your home will likely be more even throughout the home.

Tips for buying energy efficient windows

Here are several tips from the Department of Energy for selecting new windows.

  • Purchase windows with Energy Star or NFRC labels.

  • Select gas-filled windows with low-e coatings in colder climates and windows with coatings in hot climates.

  • Choose windows with a low U-factor in colder climates.

  • Take note of a window’s SHGC (or solar heat gain coefficient). A low SHGC means that less solar radiation and heat get through the window.

-BY DAVID F. ASK

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David Ask