How Windows Affect the Temperature in Your Home
Our homes provide valued safety for our families, warmth through the winter, and a comfy place to lay our heads after a long day. People wanting to keep their homes as warm as possible is a natural desire for homeowners. Still, when considering the hows and whys behind how our homes regulate temperature, then you might not realize how integral windows are to your home’s temperature and ultimately your energy bills.
Here at Window Guardians, we provide professional window installations and replacements across Bucks County, PA and New Jersey. If your windows are old or not insulated properly, it can make a big difference in indoor temperature and the size of your energy bills. Our team will help repair sliding windows or replace double-hung windows in Trevose and the surrounding areas to make sure they seal in energy when necessary and keep everyone comfortable all year round.
There are several ways that windows affect and regulate home temperatures, as illustrated by this infographic:
Air Flow Regulation
When two windows are opened at the same time, it allows for cross ventilation of a room. Outdoor breezes can flow through the rooms of your home, naturally moving air and cooling the temperatures inside. Ensure that you open multiple windows on either side of a room to let air pass through your building. With just one window open, you could trap more hot air in a room, creating the opposite effect.
Window Glazing
How your window is constructed plays a significant role in how well your home regulates temperature. Windows remain one of the biggest culprits in heat loss in your home; however, if you choose double glazed windows for your home, your windows will become less of a heat loss problem. Double glazed windows involve using two panes of glass and creating a buffer zone filled with inert gas, such as argon, to reduce the heat loss. The combination of the gas buffer and the additional pane of glass reduces the amount of heat loss and dramatically improves your home’s ability to regulate temperature across seasons.
Window Positioning
Rooms filled with windows that face the sun can feel like a greenhouse on a hot summer’s afternoon. The position of your home’s windows makes a massive difference with your cooling and heating bills. If your windows are letting in a lot of heat, it’s time to invest in window treatments that will block the weather or consider upgrading to better quality windows. In the last decade, window technology has significantly improved with the introduction of UV ratings in glass panels and frosted options to lower cooling costs. If you live in a cold climate, positioning windows to face the sun helps bring a natural heat source throughout the winter months. Opening shutters or curtains on a sunny winter’s day can increase room temperatures to a comfortable level.
Window Placement Can Mess With Thermostats
Your home’s layout in relation to your thermostat can play a critical role in how your windows affect your home’s temperature. Thermostats measure the air in their immediate vicinity and determine how often your HVAC system needs to run to maintain your desired temperature. Homes with drafty windows nearby that allow cooler air to enter through these gaps will force your HVAC system to work harder. This can prove problematic in both the summer and winter and drive your energy bills through the roof.
Close Exterior Shutters
You can use shutters to block heat from entering your home. External shutters help to block the sun’s rays before they enter a building. If your home faces the sun, we recommend installing functional shutters to help you save on energy costs over time.
Difficulty Opening Windows
Over time, wooden window frames can swell, reducing their ability to open and close. By replacing the wooden window frames with new technology, fresh air can enter your home once again. Older homes with windows that are difficult to open can depend on HVAC systems to reduce temperatures. By investing in new windows, homeowners can dramatically decrease energy costs while encouraging air to circulate again.
Here’s a quick video recap for you to check out!
Finding ways to regulate your home temperature properly becomes an essential task for homeowners trying to get their energy bills under control. If you’re looking to turn to new home window installers in Doylestown and beyond, the Window Guardians team can help! Contact us for a free estimate today!
