I don’t know about you, but as the weather heats up and the humidity starts to rise, I torment myself almost daily (at least during these early summer months -- July and August, no question) about whether to throw open the windows or crank up the air conditioner. After a long, cold winter I welcome the fresh air but I also have my limits on how much heat and moisture I’m willing to tolerate in my home, especially during my valued sleep time at night. Adding to my mental torment, for every day I go without the air conditioner, think about the extra money I save. Talk about some true energy efficiencies.
Not many people think about the toll warm weather can take on your home in the summer, most of us focus on the winter months and the money it takes to heat a home. But an air conditioner can be a big source of energy consumption. And if your windows aren’t energy efficient, that only makes your air conditioner work harder, meaning higher energy bills for you.
Here are a few things to consider about your windows:
- Are they ENERGY STAR® qualified?
- Do you know the U-value of your windows? U-values measure the ability to resist the transfer of heat. The lower the U-value the better.
- (Shameless plug here, but Pella has some of the lowest U-value products in the industry – some as much as 23 percent more energy efficient than ENERGY STAR standards).
- Can you feel heat or cold air seeping in from the windows? If yes, that’s a sign it’s time to replace.
- Do you have any window treatments for your windows? If so, keep window blinds and shades closed during hot months to conserve energy and open on sunny days during cold months to let in solar heat, which can help reduce heating bills.
For more information on saving energy and what to look for when buying a new window, consider these facts.
In the meantime, let me know what your temperature and humidity threshold is for windows open or closed up tight. I need a reality check, is my tolerance level too low or high? And I’ll keep in that internal dialogue going with myself.