Windows should not only complement the look of your residence, but also optimize your home’s safety and energy efficiency. New, quality windows can decrease utility bills while simultaneously protecting your home against accidents, weather, and security threats. But as windows age and wear, they often lose functionality and create more problems than solutions.
Here’s how to know when it’s time to replace your windows:
- Your utility bills are increasing: If it seems like your energy bills are getting higher month to month, your windows could be the culprit. Low-quality materials, a poor seal, cracks in the panes, or weather-related wear around the frame will allow air to enter and escape your home and lead to poor insulation. Up to 30 percent of your home’s heating and cooling use are due to heat gain and loss from windows, according to the S. Department of Energy. If your heating and cooling system is working overtime to control your home’s climate, resulting in a steady uptick in your monthly energy bills, it could be time to consider a window renovation.
- Your house is drafty: Pockets of hot or cold air in your home could be a sign that your windows are leaking and in need of replacement. On top of making your home more comfortable, decreasing the drafts in your home could result in big energy savings.
- Outside noises come in: No one enjoys the sounds of traffic, barking dogs, or loud neighbors inside the comfort of their own home. A poor seal or window material can be the cause of unwanted noise, and these disturbances can be eliminated by replacing your windows to create a quieter, more relaxing living space.
- You notice condensation collecting: If your window’s seal has broken, water can enter and gather between the panes of glass. When this condensation gathers, the air between the glass can no longer act as a barrier of insulation between your home and the elements.
- You have difficulty operating your windows: Over time, windows can warp in a way that prevents smooth movement. If your windows’ security and efficiency are compromised — and they become jammed, unbalanced, or difficult to lock — this could be an indication to invest in new windows.