Utah’s already dipped down into puffer jacket weather and snow coats the mountain tops. You’re probably shivering in the mornings, turning up your thermostat, and wondering what you can do to keep your house warmer in the winter without making your energy bills skyrocket. You’re in the right place. 

There are plenty of things that you can do to keep your house warmer in the winter that don’t involve putting your heating system into overdrive and making your bank account cry. Here are a handful of ways you can do just that.

#1. Check For Drafts

Drafts are one of the biggest ways energy escapes your home and cold air infiltrates it. You want to keep the cold air outside, where it belongs, and to keep the heated air you’re paying for inside, where it belongs. However, if you have drafty windows, then your house won’t be as warm as it should be. 

An easy way to check for drafts is to light a candle and move it around the edges of your windows slowly. If the flame starts flickering, you’ve found a drafty area. If you have drafts, you can use draft stoppers, replace the weather-stripping, caulk gaps, and more. If your windows are old or damaged, window replacement may be the best way to resolve the issue. 

#2. Keep Your HVAC Unit In Good Condition

Routine maintenance and service are key to ensuring that your HVAC unit performs as needed. The last thing you want is your HVAC system working double time trying to heat up your home, because that can get expensive, fast. Sure, you can wear sweaters and jackets inside, but your home is meant to be your safe haven, so you want it to be cozy and warm.

By having your HVAC unit serviced and maintained as needed, you can keep it running at its peak, which also helps keep those energy bills down – and ergo, helps you keep your house warmer in the winter.

#3. Add Rugs

While rugs may not suit everyone’s aesthetic, they’re a great way to help to warm up a room. This is because they insulate the floor, trapping air, preventing it from escaping down through the floor. The soft fibers of rugs also feel warmer against your feet than a hard floor would. The bigger and thicker the rug, the more it can help with heat loss reduction. 

#4. Use Insulation

Insulating your home is one of the most effective ways to keep your house warmer in the winter. This is because insulation retains heat and prevents cold air from coming in. You’ll want to consider how long the insulation will last, how effective it is, and how well it will help with keeping moisture out, as well. While an investment upfront, insulation can significantly reduce your energy bills over time. 

#5. Adjust Your Ceiling Fans

Your fans can do more than cool a room off. You can adjust them to help circulate warm air around a room. In order to do this, you’ll need to locate the switch that controls the direction the blades spin. In order to cool a room, the blades will go in a counterclockwise direction, as that facilitates a windchill effect. In order to do the opposite and have your fans help to heat your space, you’ll want them going in a clockwise direction.

The reason why this works is because when the blades go clockwise, they push air up, which helps to better distribute heat. The force of the air pushes the air at the top of the room towards the outer edges and back to the ground. Since heat rises, this helps to move heated air around the room, making it warmer and warmer. 

Do You Need Window Repair, Replacement, Or Installation?

Creekside Windows & Glass provides the expert window and glass services you need in order to keep your home secure. As a local, family-owned business, we’re familiar with all the unique challenges homeowners face throughout Northern Utah. We use top-quality windows and glass and pull on our extensive experience in order to ensure that our clients receive the top-notch services they deserve.

Contact us today to learn more about our window and glass services and what we can do for you. 

When it comes to your windows, the type of glass they have can greatly affect their energy-efficiency. This is especially true with how about 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through its windows and about 76% of sunlight in cooling seasons can become heat, as stated by the Department of Energy. However, it can be confusing to know what low-E means in windows and what this means for making your windows more energy efficient.

So, here’s a brief overview of what low-E means in windows and why this matters. Let’s get into it.

What Does Low-E Mean?

Low-E stands for low-emissivity. If your windows are low-E, this means that their glass has a very thin coating that minimizes the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that can come through your glass, aka, reflecting heat. What this means for you is that they help to keep your house’s temperature more consistent through reflecting the interior temperature back inside. 

Different Types Of Low-E Coatings

There are a few different types of low-E coatings for your glass. The appropriate type of coating for your windows will depend on the climate that you live in. 

Hard Coat

Also known as passive coatings, these are pyrolytic coatings that are applied to glass ribbon while it is being produced on the float line. This causes the coating to “fuse” to the hot glass, thus creating a very strong bond, aka – a hard coat.

Soft Coat

Also known as solar control coatings, these are applied off-line, when the glass is in a vacuum chamber at room temperature. Thus, this needs to be sealed in a laminated unit or insulated glass. It has lower emissivity and better solar control than passive coatings.

Why Are Low-E Coatings Important?

You know how we mentioned energy loss at the start of the blog? Low-E coatings help to prevent that, making your home more comfortable, all year round. The more energy efficient your home is, the more pleasant a place it will be to reside. Plus, the lower your energy bills will be. Why spend more on energy than you have to or deal with rising energy bills from factors that you can control?

Some of the benefits you can experience from using low-E coatings include the followings:

• Reduction in heat loss
• Cost savings
• Durability
• Protection against UV damage
• And more!

What Type Of Low-E Coating Do You Need?

As previously mentioned, this will depend on the climate that you live in. If you live somewhere very cold, then you may prefer hard coating, because of how they’ll allow some of the sun’s energy through your windows. However, if you live somewhere that ranges from hot to cold, you’ll probably prefer a soft coating, due to its superior UV protection and U-value.

If ever you have any questions about the best windows or glass for your needs, it’s best to consult with a local window professional. They’ll be able to provide you with personalized advice so that you can make the best choice for your specific needs.

High-Quality Low-E Windows In And Around Kaysville, UT

Creekside Windows & Glass provides the top-quality window and glass services you need for your home in Northern Utah. Whether you live near the base and you want soundproof windows or you’re doing a new construction build or you have broken windows that need fixing, we’re here to help! We offer window installation, window replacement, window repair, shower doors, and so much more.

Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer and if we can help you with the work you need done.

Whole home window replacement is not something that you want to have done often, with how expensive and significant of a project it is. However, windows are just like anything else: they don’t last forever. Sooner or later, you will need to schedule a whole home window replacement – but about how often should you expect this to happen?

Fortunately, if the windows were installed correctly, you’ve been vigilant about maintenance, and there haven’t been any external issues like major storms, home windows last a good amount of time. As such, whole home window replacement isn’t something you should need to worry about too often.

Here is some more information about how long home windows last, so you can better plan for your next whole home window replacement job. Let’s get into it. 

How Often Do You Need Whole Home Window Replacement?

How often you can expect to schedule whole home window replacement will depend on a variety of factors, from the type of windows that you have, to how they were installed, to what maintenance has been like. Generally speaking, windows will need to be replaced every 15-20 years.

How Long Do Different Types Of Windows Last?

The type of windows that your home has can affect how often you’ll need home window replacement. Different types of windows have different life expectancies.

• Wood. Wood windows can last 20+ years. They do repair maintenance, such as being repainted and resealed every few years in order to stay protected against the elements. Without protection, they can rot, warp, or crack.
• Vinyl. Vinyl windows last 20+ years, depending on your climate. These windows are vulnerable to extreme temperatures, which can cause them to warp. Aside from that, they are easy to care for.
• Aluminum. Aluminum windows can last 15+ years. These windows don’t require much maintenance, but you should stick to soft cloths and non-abrasive cleaners to get the most life out of them.
• Fiberglass. Fiberglass windows can last 20+ years. This material provides exceptional strength and durability, even in extreme temperatures.

It’s important to note, though, that while different types of windows can have different average lifespans, their lifespan can be drastically impacted by factors beyond the material they are made out of.

How Can You Help Your Windows Last Longer?

While the type of material your windows are made out of affects how long they’ll last, there are multiple other steps you can take to try to extend your windows’ lifespan as much as possible.

#1. Have Them Professionally Installed

Poor installation can result in even the highest quality windows not lasting you very long. When you get a whole home window replacement done, you want to ensure that you’re working with experienced professionals who care about a job done right.

#2. Stay On Top Of Maintenance

Like anything else, windows need proper care and maintenance in order to stay in good condition for as long as possible. It’s easy to ignore minor issues, but staying on top of any necessary repairs prevents them from turning into bigger issues. Getting repairs and window cleaning done as needed is key to helping your home windows last longer. 

Whole Home Window Replacement In And Around Kaysville, UT

Creekside Windows & Glass provides professional window and glass services in and around Kaysville, UT. From whole home window replacement to broken window repair and more, count on our detail-oriented experts for the top-quality work you need. Beyond windows, we also offer services for shower doors and doors throughout your home.

To learn more about the window and glass services that we provide, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!