Another common item on a homeowner’s list of things to do is to make their home more energy efficient. If you’re worried that your home isn’t as energy efficient as it could be, just take a look at your doors and windows and answer the following questions: Are your windows and doors original to the house? Do you see any peeling or molding around the frames or panes? Is there a draft coming through your window or door from the outside? When you touch the surface of your windows or doors, do they reflect the outside temperature?

Many older homes retain their original windows and doors, most of which do not offer the quality of insulation and energy efficiency that doors and windows do today. It is not uncommon for older doors to be less energy efficient because of the increased amount of space between the frame and the door itself that was once implemented. In older times, doors also did not often contain an inner core of insulation to help homes maintain a constant temperature within. Doors today often contain high-quality insulation within their cores. This means that when you touch your door’s surface, it will not reflect the temperature outside the way that older doors sometimes do.

Outdated windows are also an increasing problem for those trying to increase their home’s energy efficiency. In older homes, you often find single-paned glass in the window frames. Single-paned windows allow large amounts of outside energy, namely heat and cold, to enter, making it difficult for your home to maintain a consistent temperature. This means that in the winter your heater will be working that much harder, while your air conditioning will be running more often in the summer. Thankfully, most standard windows today are made with double-paned glass. The double-pane dramatically increases your home’s energy efficiency by keeping cold winter air or warm summer air outside where it belongs. Your home will be better equipped to maintain a consistent temperature, helping your heating bills to remain lower and more manageable.

If you’re worried that installing energy efficient doors and windows will harm the beauty of your home, don’t be. The styles that door and window installation companies offer today are endless, most of which are incredibly energy efficient. You’ll be able to make your home look younger and more stylish on the exterior without sacrificing quality or energy efficiency. In fact, you’ll be doing your home and your utility bill a service by installing new, beautiful, energy efficient windows and doors.

Joel McLaughlin

Article written & distributed by Dataflurry