Increasing the energy efficiency of your home is one of the most ideal ways to live sustainably, with the added benefit of saving money at the same time.
What is home energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency in the home is derived from a number of factors. You can think of your entire home operating as a system. Combine your daily living habits, such as doing laundry and taking showers, with the number of people living in your home, and then factor-in all environmental conditions taking place outside the home that impact the functionality of the home, itself.
There’s a lot going on, to say the least.
And what’s the one thing that can most drastically affect the energy efficiency of your home but will most often be overlooked: the quality of your windows? Maybe.
It’s the quality of your actual windows installation that can inevitably pay dividends.
How exactly does it all work?
An estimated up to 30% of a regular heating bill is lost through insufficient window installation. If windows don’t keep heat out during the summer and in during the winter, your heating and cooling systems are working harder than necessary to maintain temperature.
Three big benefits in getting it done right:
Insulation: New, properly installed, energy-efficient windows can reduce heat loss by 30-50%
Air Leakage: Improperly installed windows, old caulking, broken weather stripping – all can let air into the home, dramatically increasing heat loss and your energy bill
Natural Light & Warmth: If you don’t know what you’re doing, talk to somebody who does (like us). South and West-facing windows in particular offer an opportunity to use natural light from the sun to warm your home. Proper assessment can help you choose the best design options, and proper installation will noticeably increase the energy efficiency of your home.
