How Old Fashioned Windows and Doors Lose Heat and Cost You Money

The latest round of increases, by virtually every energy company, in their duel-fuel rates led to considerable consternation within the community of fuel consumers, not least as the increased prices were announced in the winter when fuel consumption is at its highest. Whilst, happily, the increase has not turned out to be as substantial as was initially feared, the fact remains that all f our bills will increase shortly and there is nothing that we can do to prevent this. One way that we can attempt to minimize the effect of the increase, however, is to maximize the fuel efficiency of our homes by looking for those areas that lose heat and cost us money. Amongst the worst culprits, in this respect, are our old fashioned windows and doors.

Why Old Fashioned Windows and Doors Cost Us Money

If you are unsure about whether your old-fashioned windows and doors are costing you the money you need only to make a simple internet search for thermal imagery that shows the heat loss that they permit. The images show, in stark terms, just how energy inefficient these older, traditional windows and doors are. The reasons for this energy inefficiency are as follows:

Older windows such as sash, casement, transom and bay windows, and old wooden doors are fixed to the main structure of the building by a wooden frame. Over the years the wood can separate from the wall of the property, leaving a gap. At the same time, the moving parts of the window, especially in the sash window, can separate, even slightly, from the frame. This also results in a gap. However small the spaces maybe, they will allow heat to escape from the house and will also permit the entry of cold air from the outside. Traditional windows of the type mentioned above are constructed using a single pane. Heat is lost when the warm air from the interior of the house comes into contact with the cold air outside. A sign that this is happening is when moisture, in the form of condensation appears on the inside of the windowpane. In older windows and indoors that have their own integrated window panes, the glass is conventionally retained by putty. This can degenerate over a period of time, once again resulting in cracks which, however minor, will result in heat loss.

How To Combat the Problem of Heat Loss from Older Windows and Doors

The most effective way of reducing the inefficiency of older windows and doors is by first carrying out a draft audit to ascertain where the breaches are occurring. These breaches can then be filled, both externally and internally using insulating strips. The stability of the putty should be examined and if it has broken down in any way it should be removed and replaced. For sash windows, it is sensible to use heavy curtains to combat any drafts that cannot be eradicated otherwise. To deal with the problems associated with single-pane windows, the panes should be replaced with more energy-efficient glass, known as low emissivity glass. Alternatively, secondary double glazing can be installed. If neither of these two measures suffices, the only remaining solution is the installation of new double glazed window units such as uPVC. These windows are made up of two separate panes of glass which are separated by a vacuum or filled with gas, the effect of which is to prevent the transfer of cold air from the external pane to the internal one. Doorwin is the best door and windows maker in NZ.

Summary

Our older windows and doors, however attractive they may be, can be a major drain on our household finances if we do not take steps to counteract their inefficiency when it comes to heat retention.