Are Windows more Important than Insulation? -Series 2/3 of 3
Very inexpensive ways to insulate your windows.
If you are not ready to replace windows that are still structurally sound, fortunately, there are easy ways to improve the energy efficiency of your existing windows without replacing them altogether.
Check for air leaks – To check for air leaks, conduct a visual inspection around all of your windows and panes. Check for gaps and cracks. If it’s cold outside, you may be able to feel where cold air is coming in.
Caulk and weatherstrip – If you do detect air leaks. Applying silicone caulk to the window frames is one such way to stop air from leaking into the home. Applying weatherstripping around the windows is another way to stop air leaks.
Add window treatments to your windows – Adding window treatments, such as heavy curtains, blinds, shades or drapes, is one of the easiest ways to insulate your home. Window treatments will prevent direct sunlight from entering the home and will act as a buffer against the cold air outside.
Add solar control film – Another inexpensive way to improve the insulation in your home is by adding window films to your windows. A solar control film helps block heat and ultraviolet light and can be used in both hot and cold climates.
But how does repairing or replacing windows compare to the cost of adding insulation in your attic?
In my experience, the culprit of home comfort problems isn't the windows, but rather the lack of proper insulation in the walls and attic. Perhaps window replacement is the last step to improving your home's efficiency.
With many choices to improve your home’s efficiency, getting started can be overwhelming. Many people start by weighing the investment in new energy-efficient windows versus upgrading insulation in the walls and attic.
But the real question is: Which efficiency upgrade—replacement windows vs insulation—delivers the biggest bang for the buck? The answer may surprise you!
Get Started With an Energy Assessment
In my area I called on the West Central Communities Action organization in Elbow Lake, MN. (There are organizations like this in every state.) This is a state governmental organization that partners with our local electric and natural gas companies to do assessments and, if needed, repairs and installation of insulation, exhaust fans and ducting for cloths dryers, etc. They were recommend to me by my natural gas supplier to come to my home to do an energy assessment. They pressurized the house with a blower installed in an outside door opening and then checked for leaks and temperature differences around windows and doors with a special temperature sensing device.
They found many bad leaks around all but two windows that had been recently replaced.
So those drafty rooms in your home may be caused by bad windows.
But then they checked the insulation in my attic. And what a disappointment. We had only 8-9 inches of cellulose where 19 inches is recommended for an R-factor of 40. Needless to say, the need for much more insulation was primary. The heat loss through the ceiling was the first priority.
Replacement Windows Versus Insulation
It’s important to note when window replacement is needed—when windows (and doors) aren’t functioning properly, are leaking rainwater, or are sticking when opening and closing.
You should also consider a window replacement if you want to make aesthetic improvements to your home—window and door replacements offer a chance to enhance your home’s curb appeal and open up the views from each room in your home.
But if better energy efficiency is your goal, you should start with insulation.
New insulation can be placed right over the old. No need to get rid of the old unless it has gotten wet or is somehow damaged.
So, what did we do? We did not replace any more windows. The cost of replacing 10 windows in our home would have come to about $20,000. We did add a major amount of Insulation in the attic. And the cost there was about half of the cost of new windows.
But we did the weatherizing of all windows and doors just like I have described above. That cost about $300. The attic insulation got first priority and then the sealing of windows and doors. The cost of insulation, even though 45 bags were needed, was still much cheaper than replacing the remaining 10 windows in our house.
Two of the three outside doors had been replaced in the last 15 years with good quality steel doors and the front door only needed some weather stripping.
Because the MN state government and the energy companies have collaborated in an effort to help older home owners with energy costs, all of the insulation and repairs were done at no cost to us. The folks that did the energy assessment determined what was most cost effective and did only that.
We also had some new insulation and vapor barrier put in the crawl space under part of the house as well, but that is another story.
Now, about 9 months later we have recognized a significant decrease in heating and cooling cost even with the increased cost of natural gas per unit and the slight increase in the cost of electricity in our area. We’ll be able to compare costs better after one full year.
Our bathroom fan is new and is now set to run constantly because the house is so tight, and we need some air exchange to keep the air fresh. The only outside air coming in the house now should be through the furnace combustion air intake pipe.
The furnace blower also runs continuously and every room is held at the same temperature. Our HVAC person said that the furnace blower motor will last longer if it can run continuously and not stop and start with the burner. We are very comfortable.
Your need for home upgrades may be somewhat different from ours if you live in a southern state.
Our home was used for business a few years ago (my wife taught music), so we installed a thermostat cover to keep anyone from tampering with the HVAC control.
We purchased the keyless protective cover made by StatguardPlus.
Their innovative solutions protect your thermostat from accidental damage, vandalism, and unwanted tampering while still looking stylish on your wall. But it’s just the two of us at home now, so we have no need to lock the StatguardPlus anymore. And there is no key to lose. - David F. Ask
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