Heat Loss Through Windows And Doors

If your windows are more than 10 years old replacing them may put an end to your skyrocketing heating and cooling bills.

Heat loss through windows and doors. This is mostly due to air leaks and cracks around the foundation that can be repaired through regularly caulking the joints around window and door frames. Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25 30 of residential heating and cooling energy use. Similarly poor windows allow the solar energy to penetrate through the windows and heat the space. The incoming solar radiation consists of infrared ir ultraviolet uv and visible waves.

The ir radiation which is also called heat radiation heats the space excessively and adds to the air conditioning in the summer time. If you are selecting windows for new construction or to replace existing windows it s important to choose the most efficient windows you can afford that work best in your climate. The use of caulking materials around window and door frames can also reduce heat loss. To reduce heat loss through windows the installation of double triple glazing can significantly reduce any losses.

If your existing windows are in good condition taking steps to reduce the energy loss through windows can make your home more comfortable and save you money on energy bills. By upgrading your older windows to energy efficient windows with low e coatings you can lower your energy bills up to 15 percent per year according to the efficient windows collaborative a coalition. When you consider that a single pane of glass can lose almost ten times as much heat as the same area of insulated wall it is worth taking some simple steps to reduce heat loss through your windows to make your home more comfortable and reduce your heating costs. If you have leaky windows you also have rising energy costs.

Another 25 of heat loss occurs through the windows and doors in a house. Generally the gaps between the panes of glass are filled with air.