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Simple Steps For Efficient Windows
When preparing your home for the coming heating season, I suggest including a visual inspection of your windows. Will they help to keep you warm this winter, or do they bring back drafty memories from years past? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, inefficient windows can account for up to 25 percent of your heating bill. So it’s important to act now to make any necessary improvements.
Simple steps may be all that you’ll need to make your windows as energy efficient as possible. For example, be sure window air conditioners are removed and that all windows are closed and locked. Locking windows completes the manufacturer’s seal and cuts down on heat loss. You might want to also consider installing tight-fitting, insulating window shades for more protection against the cold.
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If your home has single-pane windows – almost half of the homes in the U.S. do – taking additional steps now to make them as tight as possible will pay dividends later. Repairing damaged glazing or adding weather-stripping is inexpensive and can usually be done with help from the local hardware store. Be sure storm windows are tight and in good repair, too.
The best option for old, drafty windows is to replace them with new, double-pane windows made with high-performance glass. Today’s low-emissive glass coatings, better known as “low-e” glass, reduce heat loss and will help to control your heating and cooling bills for years to come.
NSTAR offers its gas-heating customers a rebate on ENERGY STAR-labeled windows with a U-value of 0.35 or less (the lower the U-value, the better the insulation). NSTAR Electric customers may also qualify for the rebate if window replacement is recommended during one of our in-home energy assessments. And if window replacement is a recommended measure, low-interest financing is currently available.
With the days getting shorter and the temperature getting cooler, now’s the time to take a good look at your windows to decide which improvements are right for you. For more energy saving tips and information, click on "Energy Efficiency" in the left-hand side menu above. In my next column, I’ll discuss how to heat your home as efficiently as possible.
Bill Stack is a Residential Program Manager in NSTAR's energy efficiency department. He can be reached by emailing brightideas@nstar.com. If you're a member of the media and would like to arrange an interview with Bill, please call Caroline Allen (617-424-2460) or Mike Durand (508-441-5831).
