Most Ottawa homeowners spend around 55% of their total home’s energy costs on heating and cooling. Understanding how your home uses energy will better help you determine what areas you can improve to reduce your energy. Two areas of the home where people experience the most hot/cold air loss in the home, which affects their energy bills, are windows and ottawa exterior doors
WINDOWS
Depending on the age of the home and the type of windows installed, there are several different things that can result in energy losses. First, glass windows without any UV (E-glass) or Vinyl window protection can cause the rooms in the home to heat up when exposed to direct sunlight. Sure, this is great for those cold winter days, but in the summer, it causes your air conditioning to run longer
Next, depending on the materials the windows are made of, they could be transferring heat or cold from the outdoors into the home. Aluminum windows are a good example because the metal gets warm or cold and is susceptible to temperature changes. So, the window frames could actually be lowering or increasing the temperatures in the rooms within your home. Lastly, the age of the windows can result in broken weather stripping and caulk creating air gaps where the heated or cooled are from inside the home can escape and also allow air in from the outdoors. If you notice air drafts around the windows, you have an air leak and are losing energy.
DOORS
Doors are also a cause of energy loss for homeowners. For instance, sliding glass doors consist mostly of glass so there is the heat/cold transfer if the glass is not an E-rated glass. Next, the fit of the door around the doorway can leave small openings where air can get out and in the home. A good test is to see if you notice light coming in around the doors and if so, this means the door does not properly fit in the doorway. Lastly, doors do wear out over time from constant exposure to the elements and hot and cold temperatures. Depending on the type of materials the doors are made from, they can slowly warp and eventually will no longer fit correctly around the doorway. A good indication a door is warped is if it has gaps on one side and fits tightly in other areas, where you have to lift or push/pull on the door with added force to get it opened or closed.
HOW REPLACEMENT DOORS AND WINDOWS HELP
When you replace old doors and windows with new, Energy Star® certified doors and windows, they are made from materials that provide better insulation and help to stop the transfer of hot and cold air. Plus, if you choose E-rated glass, it helps block out the heat-producing part of sunlight to help you control energy loss, reduce energy bills, and provide more consistent temperatures throughout the home. To learn more about replacement doors and windows and which ones would be best for your home, please feel free to contact Westend Windows & Doors by calling 613-491-5121 to request a free in-home consultation today!
We are expert in following types of the doors installation and replacement: