How Leaky Windows Reduce Heating Efficiency in Your Home
Generally, windows account for about 15-20% of the surface area of the walls. They certainly improve the aesthetic appeal of your home, but they also affect how your home gets heated during winter. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that about 25-30% of the energy used to cool or heat your home gets lost through leaky windows. A well-insulated window can prevent outdoor conditions from disrupting your indoor temperature, while poorly insulated windows can drastically alter your home’s indoor temperature, affecting your loved ones’ comfort. If left untreated, poor insulation can adversely affect your home’s structure and increase your utility costs. How Heat Loss Occurs Through Windows About two-thirds of heat loss occurs when the heat comes into contact with an inefficient glass. Naturally, heat moves towards cooler objects until the temperature attains an equilibrium, a process called radiation. A poorly insulated window cannot prevent this flow. As a result, it allows the internal surface of the pane to absorb heat from the inside and transmit it through conduction to the external surface of the pane that remains in contact with outdoor conditions, leaving chilled air behind. Poorly insulated windows also result in poor heating efficiency through infiltration. Old and...
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