There are many ways in which heat can escape our home. One potential heat loss exit is the windows.
The amount of heat lost through windows can depend on how well insulated they are. While modern homes often have well-insulated windows, older homes typically don’t have great insulation. How you dress your windows can also have an impact. This post delves more into how much heat can be lost through uninsulated windows and what you can do to fix this.
How much heat is lost through uninsulated windows?
On average, 18% of a home’s heat is lost through the windows. In homes with large insulated windows or lots of insulated windows, the amount of heat loss can be much greater.
Other places where heat loss can occur include the roof, walls, doors, extractor vents, chimneys and the floor.
5 Ways to insulate your windows
There are many different ways to insulate windows – including structural modifications and temporary insulation methods. 5 of the most effective ways to insulate your windows include:
Double-pane windows
Double-pane windows are made up of two layers of glass with an insulating gas between them. They can reduce the amount of heat lost through windows by as much as 55%. Triple-pane windows can provide even greater insulation qualities – these consist of three panes with gas between each pane. A window installation company can fit these windows for you.
Fiberglass window frames
When replacing the glass, you’ll likely have to replace the frames. This could be a time to consider a new frame material. While timber and aluminum frames can provide decent insulation, fiberglass window frames are some of the most effective frames for reducing heat loss.
Plantation shutters
Shutters can be fitted on the inside or outside of your windows. They are similar to blinds, but they are fixed to the window frame. This makes them effective at reducing heat transfer. In fact, shutters can reduce heat loss through windows by about 51% when closed. There are many other benefits to installing shutters too – they can block out outside light, they can provide security and they may be able to reduce outside noise.
Thermal curtains
Thick winter curtains can also help to keep heat in your home. These can be a more feasible solution if you are renting and already have a curtain rail – putting up new curtains doesn’t require making any permanent modifications to the property. You can buy curtains with different levels of heat retention. Most curtains will reduce heat loss through windows by about 25%. As with shutters, curtains can also have other benefits such as blocking out light and reducing noise.
Insulating window film
It’s possible to buy transparent film to place over your windows that helps to form a barrier against heat. This film isn’t as effective as double-pane windows, but can still make a difference – reducing heat loss through windows by about 30%. It’s also a very cheap form of insulation that similarly doesn’t require making any permanent modifications (the film is easy to peel off), making it suitable for renters.
Conclusion
If your windows are uninsulated, make sure to consider one of these insulation methods. Just remember that there are other places in which heat can be lost through your home too and there are other insulation methods you can explore to reduce this.
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