Can you feel that chill in the air? With leaves falling all around us and winter just around the corner, it won’t be long before we’re all waking up extra early to heat up our cars and turning our heaters on for the first time.
If your home’s winter energy costs are out of control each year, the expense can take its toll on your wallet. But an inefficient home is more than just a money pit. It can also make daily living far less comfortable for your family.
Did you know that taking simple steps to improve your home’s energy footprint can help decrease your energy bill while adding to your home’s value at the same time?
At Window World Twin Cities, we work with homeowners every day to make their homes more efficient and comfortable. In this post, we’ll walk you through what you need to know to enjoy a more comfortable home during the cold winter months.
Contact us to discuss winter energy savings for your home today!
A More Comfortable Home
The undeniable truth is that winters can get pretty frosty up here in the Twin Cities region. With all of the ice, snow, and winter winds nature brings our way, you find out if your home is up to the challenge fast.
Taking time out ahead of the game to make sure your home is ready for everything winter has in store can help to save on your energy costs and make your home more pleasant.
Here are a few signs your home is losing energy when it’s cold outside.
Thermostat Wars
If your home is functioning at its ideal energy efficiency, you should not have to spend much time changing the thermostat. That’s because your home’s internal temperature will remain consistent no matter what the weather is like outside.
Unfortunately, this can also create premature wear and tear on your HVAC system that causes its parts to wear out early.
Another common problem that plays out on the thermostat dial is inconsistency from one room to the next. In a drafty old home, one room may be freezing cold while the next can feel like an arid desert.
Upgrading certain features of your home will make your home remain a more constant temperature whether it’s a hot summer day or a cold winter night.
Drafty Doors & Windows
Imagine yourself seated next to your favorite window and watching the snow gently fall on a bright winter morning. If your home is too drafty and cold, sitting next to the window is anything but comfortable.
If you find yourself rolling up towels and stuffing them in front of doors or taping over windows during the colder winter months, your home is losing heat. That means in addition to freezing when you’re next to a door or window, you’re also spending more on your energy bills than you should be.
Gaps in Floors & Near Outlets
This problem is particular to older homes. Too often, when a home is poorly insulated, cold air can seep in around outlets and through the floorboards.
Although this is a seemingly minor leak, that warm air seeping out adds up over time and represents a vulnerability in your home’s thermal envelope.
Increased Energy Bills
No one really wants to pay more to heat their home. While sometimes increases in the cost of your heat and electric bills are due to changes in regulations and fees, they can also be due to issues in your home’s insulation or exterior elements.
If you’ve noticed you're paying a lot more than you used to and things don’t seem to be adding up, it’s time to look into your home’s insulation, windows, and doors. It might be time to upgrade or make some adjustments.
Saving On Home Energy Costs
Now that you’ve identified the problem, it’s time to think about solutions.
Follow these steps to reduce your energy costs and make your home more comfortable at the same time!
Update Your Insulation
Although attic insulation plays an important role in your home’s overall comfort and energy costs, don’t underestimate the impact of insulated siding.
If your walls are cold to the touch, your home could benefit from a siding and wall insulation upgrade.
At Window World Twin Cities, we offer siding with thicker insulation to withstand the cold of a Minnesota winter. Our Prodigy siding offers the thickest foam available within the siding industry at up to 1.5 inches thick.
Think of it like placing your entire house inside a giant cooler with an R-value of 5.0 and a thick EPS foam thermal barrier. It’s truly an investment in your home.
Expect as much as 30% improvement on your energy costs!
Replace Old Windows
By their very nature, windows can be a source of heat loss. Over the years, window technology has come a long way in terms of energy savings.
According to the United States Department of Energy, replacing your old windows with newer, more efficient alternatives can make a dramatic difference in terms of energy loss.
We offer a low-E glass solution that filters long-wave radiation in the summer months while reducing the transfer of heat from inside your home in the winter. Our SolarZone package combines UV-filtering glass with the insulating qualities of argon gas and a warm-edge spacer for the ultimate in winter window performance.
Reach out to learn more about window replacement options!
Replace Your Front Door
A new front door is a great idea for a number of reasons. In addition to creating an airtight seal, our fiberglass doors also add a layer of security to your home.
All of our entry doors come with an insulated core so your home will stay more comfortable throughout the year. Our patio doors are also manufactured with high-performance insulating glass.
Add in Door Sweeps & Weather Stripping
If getting new doors, windows, and insulation isn’t in your budget this year, it’s totally understandable. These can be more costly renovations that you need to plan and save up for. But, there are some more affordable ways to keep your home insulated and warm this winter. First of all, start by looking at door sweeps and the weather stripping around doors and windows. If these are old or worn down, it’s time to install new ones. And, if you don’t have these elements at all, installing them can make a huge difference. These components reduce drafts and help contro lthetempteaure inside your house.
You can request a contractor to install these for you or do the work yourself. Most hardware stores will have options. You can also learn more about winter window sealing in this blog.
Contact Our Twin Cities Pros for New Prodigy Insulated Siding
Taking steps now to reduce energy loss in your home will make your home more tolerable this winter and maximize your energy savings. To check out design options for your new windows, doors, or Prodigy siding, visit our online Design Center.
When you’re ready to connect with a Window World Twin Cities replacement siding specialist, give us a call at 651.770.5570 or contact us online to get your free quote.
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