A big part of your heat is lost through doors and windows, according to a series of energy experts. The phenomenon that allows this is the heat exchange phenomenon. Simply put, heat leaves your home, and cold air enters it. Because your heating system or boiler struggles to maintain a steady indoor temperature, it eats up more energy in the process. This is how you end up consuming energy unnecessarily and why your heating bills reach biblical values in the winter.

The simplest way to reduce energy loss and minimize heat exchange is by replacing your old windows and doors. They are, generally, the culprit in households with impressive energy bills. Below are some ways in which replacing your doors and windows will help you reduce energy consumption.

Older windows/doors are inefficient from an energetic standpoint

You’ll be sad to dins this out, but what the last window person sold you as one of the highest-performing windows on the market, might be just as bad as others. In fact, they might make you lose some beautiful money day after day. Most home builders don’t work with the buyer’s good in mind when planning the whole construction process. They work in mind with saving as much they can. And the best way to save money in the home building process is by going cheap on window and doors.

According to most sources, almost 25% of heating and cooling costs are caused by poor performing windows. Especially if your home is older than 30 years, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about door and window replacement options. To assess how efficient your windows are, try to answer the following questions.

• Do my windows overheat or get excessively cold in the summer/winter?
• Do I feel air drafts when passing by my doors/windows?
• Do I have difficulties in opening or closing my doors or windows?
• Do I have to keep my boiler or AC running all day to preserve a good indoor temperature?

When the answer to most of these questions is yes, you have to start researching reliable replacement options.

Search for windows that reduce UV penetration as much as possible

Window experts and energy experts seem to all agree on what type of doors and windows will help you save money the most.

• Switch from single pane to double pane windows. Thicker, energy efficient doors are also preferable.
• Search for doors and windows filled with gas. These reduce UV radiation and help you keep your home cooler in the hot summer months.
• Vinyl windows and composite doors are the best, unlike wood or aluminium ones. The other two options, which may be attractive due to aesthetic reasons are, in fact, quite inefficient. They can rot, shrink and attract bugs easily. Besides, they can develop mould and mildew, posing a serious health threat for your whole family. On the other hand, vinyl doors and windows have a longer lifespan, and their maintenance is a breeze.
• When shopping for doors and windows to replace your old ones, look into a selection on windows with 3 coats of low-e. To make sure you get the most for your money, search for windows filled with Argon gas. The two combined will create a low U-value, which translates into higher levels of energy efficiency.

Look into options with an insulated framework

Most modern replacement doors and windows lack hollow frames that allow air drafts from entering your home. They are fusion welded, but also insulated with expanding foam, to increase their energy efficiency. This will help you save money by maintaining a steady, comfortable indoor temperature, without overusing your heating or cooling system.

Look into retailers who offer extended warranty

When replacing your doors and windows, only settle for the best. You want to buy products from companies that offer extended warranty. And we’re not speaking about 5-year warranties, we’re discussing 10-year warranties. This will ensure you have any issues that may appear with your doors or windows, the manufacturer will fix those, free of any extra costs! While this won’t save you money on heating or cooling your flat or home, it will surely help you save money when emergencies appear.  

Final Thoughts

There are many tricks and tips to use when trying to save energy, in the long run. Investing in energy-efficient home appliances and devices, replacing old insulation, and paying attention to how you set your thermostat are some of those ways. But one of the most important one measure you can take to tackle the energy consumption issue is replacing old doors and windows with modern solutions. Modern ones are far more energy efficient than outdated ones. If your home is older than 30 years, you should look forward to replacing these elements. They cause your home to eat up a lot of electricity when trying to maintain a steady indoor temperature.