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You work hard for your money, so why would you throw it away? Sadly, if your Indianapolis home has aging, inefficient, or deteriorating windows, you may be doing just that. Heat can pass right through old, single-pane windows, and deteriorating windows let your cooled indoor air seep outside. Whether you have money in your budget toreplace your windows or you need a quick, inexpensive fix to get your heating and cooling bills back under control, read on to discover five tips to help you stop throwing money out the window.
1. Purchase Insulating Window Treatments
If a window replacement is not in the cards right now, you can save money in the meantime by purchasing a good set of insulating window treatments. In the summer, shades or drapes will help keep sunshine from warming your home, which will reduce your cooling bills. Insulating shades also stop passive heat loss though the windows, lowering your energy bills even further.
2. Replace the Weather-stripping
If your windows are only a few years old, but you feel drafts and air leaks when you walk past them, then take a close look at the weather-stripping. The weather-stripping along double-hung windows, especially, sometimes begins fraying or peeling away if you open and close the windows a lot. Loose weather-stripping allows air to leak through the window, forcing your air conditioner to work overtime. Luckily, you can replace the weather-stripping yourself by following the instructions on a weather-stripping replacement kit. Or, hire a window repair company to come apply new weatherstripping to your windows.
3. Choose Low-E Replacement Windows
The most effective solution, if your windows are old and frail, is to replace them with new, more energy-efficient windows. One of the best qualities to look for in energy efficient windows is low-e glass. Low-e windows, like Renewal by Andersen’s SmartSun™ windows,resist heat transfer far more effectively than normal glass. Yet, they still let visible light into your Indianapolis home so you can bask in the beautiful summer sun.
4. Choose Fibrex® Composite over Vinyl Window Sashes
When choosing replacement windows, also pay close attention to the sash material you choose. If you choose a brittle, low-end material like vinyl, your windows will become leaky in a few short years. (Vinyl windows contract and expand with the weather, resulting in leaks. Plus, vinyl windows are often poorly installed, leading to premature deterioration). Fibrex® composite is a wood-like sash material that resists warping and rot as it ages. Your Fibrex windows will remain well-sealed and efficient as they age.
5. Opt for a Full Frame Window Replacement if Needed
There are two primary options when it comes to window replacement. You can replace the entire window including the window frame, or you can just replace the window sash with a new insert placed into your existing frame. If you want to keep your home as energy-efficient as possible, a full frame window replacement is generally the best choice. You won’t have to worry about the frames wearing out before the sashes or about older window frames developing leaks and driving your energy bills back up in the coming months.
You should never feel like you’re throwing money out your windows. If you’d like to learn more about replacement windows and how they can save you money in the coming years, contact Renewal by Andersen. We offer free, in-home consultations for Indianapolis home owners.