When it’s cold outside and all you want is to stay warm and cozy in your home, cold air leaks are a bummer. They make it harder to control the temperature inside the house and create freezing, unpleasant drafts everywhere. But air leaks in your windows are more than just unpleasant. They can actually contribute to long-term damage to your home and cost you a lot of money down the road. That’s why it’s so important to weatherstrip consistently and know when your windows need replacing by Renewal by Andersen. Don’t get caught in the cold: There are many ways to identify, fix, and prevent air leaks in your home. For some of the most tried and true methods, keep reading.
Old Windows
There’s no getting around it: If you have windows that are over 20 years old, you’re going to be dealing with leaks. It doesn’t matter how hard you work to weatherstrip and plug up leaks, old windows simply were not made to last as long or be as energy efficient as newer models. Instead of wasting time and energy on trying to seal up windows that are far past their expiration date, try investing in a pair of new double-pane windows that will effortlessly work to protect your home from drafts, moisture, and dirt.
Cracked Windows
One of the most obvious issues your window could be facing is a crack, either on the outside of one of the panes or, in the case of a double-paned window, on the inside panel, allowing all that compressed air to escape and render your window virtually useless in the process. The good news is, if your window is cracked, you’ll know about it. Once you notice a breach in the glass’s facade, you can act right away by calling in a technician and purchasing the right replacement for your window.
Badly Installed Windows
If you installed your windows yourself, there’s a chance that you either didn’t do it the right way or simply did a poor, uninformed job. Don’t feel bad: Poorly installed windows happen, and they contribute to huge problems with air leaks and lost energy efficiency. All you have to do is call in a professional to have your windows re-installed the proper way.
Seal Failure
Your windows come with seals that act as a buffer to keep air from flowing in through the borders and walls. When your seal breaks, your window becomes inefficient and drafty. Luckily, there’s a quick and easy way to figure out if your seal is broken, which is by removing your window and looking for damage. If you’ve identified a broken seal, you can either purchase a new rubber adhesive seal or use caulking to plug up the holes.
Inefficient Windows
If your windows are single-paned and didn’t come with a low-E coating or a high R-value, you’re probably dealing with a cheap, inefficient window style that simply wasn’t made to actually protect your home against drafts. Even though it might seem expensive to have to replace an old window with a new efficient model, you’ll be saving tons of money in the long run if you invest now.