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As windows age, the seals between the glass and the sash tend to deteriorate, allowing drafts — or cold air — to blow into your home. This is a common problem in Cincinnati homes during the chilly fall and winter months. Many of the homes in this area have old, outdated wooden windows that allow for substantial drafts. If you’re wondering whether replacement windows are a good alternative to your current drafty windows, the answer is “yes.” Here are five reasons why.
1. Drafty Windows Let in Water, Along With Air
Although air leaks are the most noticeable, prevalent issue with drafty windows, water can also leak in through the gaps that allow for drafts. When it’s raining or snowing outside and the wind blows in just the right direction, you may notice water along the inside of your window. If you do not keep on top of cleaning up this water, it may cause the window to rot even further, or to develop mold. Replacement windows eliminate these leaks for a healthier, mold- and rot-free home.
2. Drafty Windows Can Interfere With Your Thermostat Accuracy
Your thermostat relies on the air temperature to tell it when to kick on and start your heater. If you have drafty windows, cold air may blow in across your thermostat’s sensor, triggering the system to turn on while your home is truly still at an acceptable temperature. This cycle can lead to uneven heating, and it can also cause your heater to work overtime, which is hard on the system and may increase your need for repairs. If you replace your windows, your home will maintain a more even temperature, and with less strain on the furnace.
3. Drafty Windows Lead to Condensation Buildup
If you have double-pane windows that are drafty, you may soon notice moisture between the panes of glass. This moisture is condensation that builds up when air leaks between the glass, then cools. Condensation makes it hard to see through the glass, and it also accelerates window deterioration. New windows will be tightly sealed, so you don’t get any condensation between the panes. (Just steer clear of vinyl windows; the vinyl tends to warp, leading to air leaks and condensation within just a few years of installation.)
4. Drafty Windows Force You to Reach for a Sweater
Do you feel like you always have to layer up in the winter, even when your thermostat is at a setting that should be comfortable? Drafty windows are probably at fault. With new replacement windows, your Cincinnati home won’t feel as chilly, so you can shed the extra layers comfortably in the winter.
5. Drafty Windows Drive up Your Energy Bills
Of course, all of that cold air leaking into your home is not great for energy-efficiency. As your drafty windows become more and more leaky, your heating bills may climb higher and higher with every passing winter. New windows, especially those made with energy-efficient materials like Fibrex®, will result in lower energy bills year-round, but especially during the winter.If your Cincinnati home has drafty windows, this is the perfect time of year to replace them. With new replacement windows, your home will be much more comfortable through the winter. Contact Renewal by Andersen to learn more about our Fibrex replacement windows and to schedule a free, in-home consultation.