Efficient Windows Save You Money

Although windows provide our homes with light and ventilation, they can negatively impact a home’s energy efficiency. Heating units cannot be efficient when combating poorly sealed and/or thin windows to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, which accounts for 10 to 25 percent of your monthly electric utility bill. Adding storm windows to your home can help improve the efficiency of your windows.

Storm windows improve the comfort of your home by slowing the heat movement and reducing air leakage. They can also help protect the primary windows of your home from weather damage, such as rain and wind. Beyond saving energy, storm windows can lower the maintenance costs on your primary windows and reduce outside noise and pollutants from entering your home. Storm windows also make it more difficult for potential intruders to enter a home through a window.

Storm windows are relatively easy to apply to single-pane windows on single-family or multi-family buildings. They can be applied on the interior or exterior of your primary window. They range in price from inexpensive plastic sheets or films designed for one heating season to thick glass units.

Interior storm windows are better suited for homes with more than one floor which describes 90% of the homes on Hatteras Island. They are also easier to install and remove and require less maintenance because they are not exposed to outdoor elements. Exterior storm windows are energy efficient, but a bit pricey, and it may be more cost efficient to replace your current windows.

When installing storm windows, it is important to remember that despite the type of storm window you install, the storm window frame must be hung square with the primary window. You should also consider how easy it is to move the storm window for cleaning and ventilation.

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