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| energy-efficient windows |
Your home can lose a great deal of heating or air conditioning through ineffective windows. Luckily, you can take many steps to improve your home's window efficiency, and you may complete most of them by yourself. Even new, energy-efficient windows can benefit from these tips during severe heat and cold.
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Caulk
Heat and cold can enter your home via gaps between the window and window frame. Applying caulk or weather stripping is an affordable and easy solution. If you feel drafts around your window frames, you'll want to seal the region. Many types of caulk and weather stripping materials will last a long time, but you should check all of them on a yearly basis to provide the best weather protection.
Awnings
According to the U. H. Department of Energy (DOE), awnings can reduce the amount of solar heat gained in your home through up to 65 percent during the summer when used on southern-facing windows. Awnings utilized on western-facing windows can reduce the heat gained by up to 77 percent.
You can set up individual awnings over single windows, or you can choose an awning that handles a larger portion of your home. Awnings that also cover exterior walls can reduce the actual solar heat gained by the wall. Be sure to choose long-lasting awning materials: More recent synthetic fabrics resist fading and mildew. If you live in an area with cooler winter temperatures, consider roll-up awnings that allow sunlight into warm areas in the winter.
Window treatments
Insulated draperies can improve your window efficiency in both the summer as well as winter. The thermal insulation can reduce cold drafts and prevent heat from getting into or leaving your home. Using draperies is beneficial because you can open the drapes to leave sunlight in to warm your home when you want.
Window blinds are a good choice for reducing temperature gained from the sun. Quality blinds can reduce the heat by up to 45 %. Blinds are not as effective for reducing heat lost in the winter, though. Utilizing both blinds and draperies maximizes sun protection and the prevention of heat loss in the cold weather. Pull-down shades provide another option, and they can be custom fitted to your windows.
Window film
Tinted window film will reduce the amount of heat that builds in your home from the sun. Window films can be permanent or temporary. You can also choose to set up the film yourself or have it done professionally. Temporary film treatments would be the better choice if you live in an area with cold winters because you can benefit from the sunlight warming your home during the cold season. A permanent film is an excellent option with regard to areas that are warmer all year, but keep in mind that most window films will decrease visibility.
Insulated Panels
Panels offer a temporary solution to heat loss in winter or even heat gain in summer. Storm panels are manufactured from many materials, including plastic material or polyethylene. Not all panels provide the best visibility, so consider your needs prior to making a purchase. A similar temporary solution is using a plastic heat-shrink film kit, which is obtainable in many sizes and can be purchased at most hardware and large merchandise stores. In an unexpected emergency, you can cut a piece of Styrofoam to fit your window.
Shutters
Shutters are manufactured for use possibly on the inside or outside of your home. You'll need to make sure your shutters are measured and set up properly to ensure they fit and work correctly. Exterior shutters offer efficiency and don't require space on the inside of your home. You might also consider shutter styles that provide protection against weighty winds. You can operate the opening and closing system from the inside your home or with a handheld remote control.
A professional window company can help you when you want to improve the efficiency of your home's energy-efficient windows. You'll have the best results from professional installation of shutters and awnings. You can also get helpful information when you consult with a qualified window installation service.
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