Summers in Utah typically mean hiding in your air-conditioned home, escaping to higher altitudes, or ensuring that you’re carrying around truckloads of water to help deal with the triple-digit temperatures. If your home isn’t as cool as it should be, you may think that your HVAC system may be to blame – but remember that your windows impact your HVAC efficiency, too. 

Even if your HVAC system is in good condition, your windows can cause it not to be as effective as it otherwise would be. Here, we’ll get into why your windows can impact your HVAC efficiency, the consequences of ignoring your windows when they’re exhibiting such problems, and what you can do in order to help your windows keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year round. Let’s dive in.

Do Windows Affect How Your HVAC System Works?

Yes, your windows do indeed affect your HVAC efficiency. The significance of this is to the point where the Department of Energy states that windows are responsible for about 25-30% of residential heating and cooling energy usage. So, if your home isn’t maintaining a comfortable temperature and your energy bills are rising, your HVAC system may not be to blame. The issue could instead lie with your windows.

How Do Windows Affect HVAC Efficiency?

There are a few ways windows can impact HVAC efficiency. 

Poor Insulation / Being Improperly Sealed

If your windows are poorly insulated or not sealed properly, this means that the air-conditioned air in the summer or heated air in the winter is escaping outside, and the outside air is making its way in. This can cause you to mess with your thermostat, making your HVAC system work harder, and increasing your energy bills. Plus, the increased strain can result in premature repairs for your HVAC system.

Heat Gain / Loss

Heat naturally travels through cold glass, which forces your HVAC system to work harder in the winter. Cold air falls while heated air rises, so the cold air sinking to the floors of your home sends your HVAC system into overdrive. Double- and triple-pane windows work to mitigate this issue.

Drafts

Gaps around your windows allow external air in, creating drafts. Not only does this affect the internal temperature of your home, it can result in other issues, like dust, dirt, and pollen being brought inside. 

Improving HVAC Efficiency With Your Windows

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do in order to improve the energy-efficiency of your windows.

Energy-Efficient Window Replacement

Replacing your windows with high-performance, energy-efficient windows can greatly improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home. You want to ensure that you’re choosing the most efficient windows for your location and needs. You’ll want to look for the ENERGY STAR ratings, as these will tell you that the windows will actually be energy-efficient and by how much.

An experienced window company, like the team here at Creekside Windows & Glass, will be able to help you select the ideal windows for your specific needs.

Window Placement

Energy-efficiency with your windows goes beyond the windows themselves. If you’re building a new construction home, you’ll also want to consider where you’re placing the windows. Ideally, your windows will be placed in such a way to promote solar heat gain in the cooler months and minimize it in the hotter months. 

This makes your home more comfortable in general, and so that your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard. This benefits you in more ways than one, because the less wear and tear on your HVAC system, the fewer repair bills you’ll have, the lower your energy expenses will be, and your system will likely last longer.

Proper Installation / Insulation / Sealing

If your windows aren’t installed, insulated, or sealed correctly, they won’t be as efficient as they otherwise could be. Through working with experienced professionals to install your windows and ensuring that they’re properly sealed and insulated, you can greatly help the energy efficiency of your home.

Use Your Windows Wisely

How you use your windows also affects your HVAC efficiency. In the summer months, you’ll want to keep your windows closed and covered during the day in order to block out the sun. But in the winter months, the opposite is true.

Are You Looking For Energy-Efficient Windows In Northern Utah?

Creekside Windows & Glass is here to help! We provide low-e windows to help keep your home comfortable all year round. Our experienced professionals pay attention to the details, ensuring that you’re not only provided with a top-quality product, but also with top-quality installation and service.

To learn more about the services we can provide you with, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Even if you’re vigilant about maintaining your windows, with repairs as necessary and cleanings as needed, they’ll eventually reach the end of their lifespan. It can be tricky to tell when your windows are going bad sometimes, as some telltale signs may be brushed off as mere annoyances. While you may be tempted to ignore these indicators, doing so can cost you – quite literally. 

In order to preserve the peace, comfort, and aesthetics of your property, it’s important to know the signs that your windows are going bad. Here are some of the most common indicators that your windows are going bad, so that you know when it’s time to replace them. Let’s get into it. 

Signs Your Windows Are Going Bad

#1. Your Energy Bills Are Climbing

You know how we said you could quite literally pay for it if you ignore signs that your windows are going bad? This is what we mean. Your windows let you enjoy natural light, views, and fresh air, but they’re also meant to help maintain the desired temperature in your home. Energy-efficient windows prevent energy loss through your windows, allowing you to enjoy blissful cool in the summer and cozy warmth in the winter.

However, if your windows are going bad, then you’ll likely notice your energy bills start climbing. This is because your HVAC system is having to work overtime in order to try to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

#2. There’s Excessive Outside Noise

If you live somewhere where there’s a lot of exterior noise, such as near an Air Force base or a busy road, you may feel as though you have to resign yourself to some noise pollution. However, your windows should dampen the exterior noise and make your home peaceful. While windows can’t soundproof your home against the sound of jets flying overhead, they should lessen the sound to be more bearable.

If you’re finding that you’re hearing a lot of outside noise and like you need to put on noise-canceling headphones in order to get true peace within your own home… your windows very well could be going bad.

#3. Your Home Is Drafty

In the summer, you may not mind if there are some drafts from a nice breeze outside or rain-scented wind from a stormfront blowing in. However, if the breeze is hot and your cold air is escaping when you don’t have any windows open, that’s another story. The same is true for the winter – you don’t want cold air blowing into your home when you’re paying for your HVAC to heat it up.

If you have drafty windows, you may notice temperature fluctuations from room to room. Maybe one room is warmer than the other, even with the AC on. Fortunately, it’s usually pretty easy to uncover a drafty window. There are multiple tests you can do, but one of the most common ones is to light a candle and hold it near the edges of the frame. If the flame flickers, you likely have a drafty window.

#4. There’s Condensation Inside Of Your Window Panes

Condensation on the outside or the inside of your windows typically results from humidity and isn’t anything to worry about. However, if your windows are fogging up between the panes, that’s another story. This can cause significant damage to your home, such as rotting the wood and drywall and leading to mold and mildew growth.

As such, if your windows are fogging up on the inside, they’re going bad.

#5. It’s Hard To Operate Your Windows

Sometimes, windows can be tricky to open or close just because there’s a buildup of dirt and grime. In this case, a good clean is all that’s needed in order to make your windows open and close with ease again. In other cases, you may need to replace a broken part, like worn screws or a broken spring. However, if your windows are clean, nothing needs fixing, and it’s still tough to operate them, you may need to think about replacing your windows.

Are Your Windows Going Bad?

If your windows are going bad, Creekside Windows & Glass is here to help. We provide top quality window and glass services throughout Northern Utah, from window replacement to window repair to shower doors and more. To learn more about our services and what we can do to help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Window replacement may not be something that you have to do often, but when it does, the expense can make you cringe. As such, it’s good to know whether to repair or replace your windows. If windows can be repaired, this can save you some time and money while extending their lifespan. However, if they need to be replaced, trying to repair them will end up wasting said precious time and money.

Here are some key indicators of whether to repair or replace your windows. If ever you’re in doubt, it’s always best to have an experienced window professional come out and take a look at your property, as they’ll be able to provide you with expert advice pertinent to your specific situation and circumstances. 

When Can You Repair Your Windows?

If your home’s windows have been damaged, you may not need to worry about replacement just yet. There are certain instances in which you can repair windows, particularly if the issues you are experiencing are minor. Some of which are as follows.

• Crack or broken glass panes.
• Trouble opening or closing your windows.
• Peeling or cracked window frames.
• Drafty windows, such as from weatherstripping in need of replacing.

These are but a few of the instances in which you can repair windows, rather than needing to replace them. It’s important to note that routine maintenance and staying on top of any issues that pop up are the keys to helping your windows last as long as possible. By addressing minor problems when they appear, you can prevent them from escalating into more serious issues that can indeed necessitate replacement. 

When Should You Replace Your Windows?

Even if you’re vigilant about maintenance and you’re on top of any necessary repairs, windows don’t last forever. Sooner or later, you’ll need to replace windows in order to maintain the comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics of your home. 

Some cases in which you should replace windows are as follows. 

• Foggy windows. If you have foggy windows, this means you have water condensing inside of the panes. The windows will likely need to be removed and replaced.
• Structural problems. If the structure of the window is failing, such as through warping, rotting, pest infestations, and the like, then it may be time to replace the window – and you may need to rebuild part of the wall, too.
• Energy inefficiency. If your windows lose their insulation, this can cause your energy bills to rise and your home to become less comfortable. Replacing your windows with energy-efficient models may be necessary in order to preserve the comfort of your home and bring your energy bills back down. 
• Old windows. If your windows are at the end of their lifespan, then trying to keep repairing them is flushing money down the drain. It would be more cost-effective to simply replace them.
• Aesthetics. If your home’s windows don’t match your favored aesthetic, then replacing them can update your home and make it look the way you want to. If you’re already updating your property, leaving old windows on it can bring the curb appeal down and may not match the aesthetic you’re going for.

How Do You Know Whether To Repair Or Replace Windows?

It’s always best to contact a professional if you have any questions about whether you need to repair or replace your windows. They’ll be able to ask the right questions and analyze the situation in order to provide you with appropriate advice for your specific situation. As such, if you’re not sure whether you need to repair or replace your home’s windows, contact your local window company. While the internet can give you generalized information, it can’t give you the specialized advice for your specific situation that a local expert can.

Wondering Whether To Repair Or Replace Your Windows?

Creekside Windows & Glass is here to help! We provide professional window and glass services throughout Northern Utah, including window repair, window replacement, new window installation, window cleaning, shower doors, and more. To learn more about our services and how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our friendly experts look forward to helping you keep your house a home.