New Windows Can Help You Fight the Summertime Blues

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By Gates Dearen

Summer has arrived in Jacksonville, Florida.  The thermometer is already hovering around the 90-degree mark.  By July and August, anything south of 90 will seem like a fond memory.  Speaking of memories, this is also the time of year when most homeowners see a substantial amount of their paychecks spent on keeping up with big electric bills.  To help you turn that frown upside down, I decided I would dedicate this week’s blog to showing you how replacement windows can help you fight the summertime, cooling-expense blues.

Life’s a Beach

While most of the population that lives north of the Mason-Dixon line heads for

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the shore during the summer, most Floridians find the incessant heat a bit hard to handle after the Fourth of July. Their idea of a summer jaunt usually involves a trip to the mall where they can walk, shop and eat in air-conditioned comfort.  When it comes to keeping your home cool without losing your cool, energy-efficient windows can make all the difference in the world.  Believe it or not, 90% of the work your air-conditioner does is lost through your home’s windows and doors.  Is it any wonder that many people make the decision to upgrade them during the summer?  It isn’t unusual to save 20% or more off your utility bills by swapping out those old, drafty windows for new energy-efficient models.

Look at the Bright Side

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Another way in which new windows can brighten your home and your mood comes from the fact that homes built 20-years ago came equipped with single-pane windows that not only let in the light, they let in the Sun’s harmful UV rays as well.  Have you noticed your curtains, rugs, and furnishings looking a bit discolored?  That’s largely due to fading caused by ultraviolet light that not only heats up every room in your home; it also takes a toll on furnishings. Modern replacement windows are designed to reduce the degree of harmful rays that are allowed to enter your home.

Another way in which new windows earn their keep is by making any room seem bigger and brighter.  When it comes to brightening up your home, modern replacement windows frequently have smaller frames and more glass. This allows more natural light into your home.

Listen to Your Air-Conditioner

Not only can you see your hard-earned money flying out the window every time your utility bill arrives in the mail during the summer, you can hear it as well.  During June, July and August, does your air-conditioner sound like a turbojet winding up for takeoff?  If your HVAC system has to work extra hard to keep you cool, it’s likely that air is leaking through your windows.  If your windows can’t provide an adequate seal, your air-conditioner will seem to run non-stop during the hottest months of the year.  If left unchecked, this kind of wear and tear is likely to wear your HVAC system out years ahead of time.

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That’s the bad news.  The good news is it’s simple to check. The best way to determine whether your windows are maintaining their seals is to open them a crack, place a dollar bill beneath the sash and close the window.  When you pull on the dollar bill, if it comes out easily, that’s a sure sign that your window seals aren’t doing the job they were originally designed to do: Keeping the elements out and the AC in.  

 

Another way to determine the energy-efficiency of your existing windows is to put your palm against the panes.  If the panes feel warm, this is another sign that they are no longer working for you.  They are now working for the electric company.

Modern replacement windows with Low-E coatings typically reduce energy loss by as much as 30% to 50%.  If the choice is to keep on paying the utility company ever more money every summer or invest in new windows that will eventually pay for themselves, a pretty simple choice really.

Eye Appeal is Buy Appeal

Another reason to invest in replacement windows is to improve the curb appeal

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of your home.  Whether you’re looking to sell your home today, or in 10-years, replacing those old, drafty windows with new energy-efficient ones will brighten your mood as well as any room.  Old windows tend to make a home look run-down. Looking at a house from the street, the windows and the landscaping generally have the greatest visual impact. Modern replacement windows can significantly improve the appearance and curb appeal of any home. Beautiful windows provide a focal point to a home.  If you plan on staying awhile longer, you will not only be able to improve the value of your home; you’ll be able to enjoy the pride of ownership for as long as you own it.

The Benefits Don’t Stop There

As well as reducing your electric bills and brightening up your home, replacing your windows also offers a number of other benefits; 

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·        Noise Reduction - Does your neighbor’s barking dog keep you up half the night?  High-quality replacement windows reduce noise from the outside. For many homeowners who replace their windows, this is a very pleasant surprise.

·        Ease of Maintenance - Advancements in window design and manufacturing have also resulted in windows that are more durable and easier to care for. Vinyl windows are available that never, ever, need to be painted. Also, many windows come with a tilt-in feature that enables you to clean the outside of the lower sash from the inside. That means you’ll never need to remove the screens.

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·        Enhanced Security - Older windows may be difficult to shut all the way and to lock. If they don’t close all the way, they can be impossible to lock. This invites thieves like a magnet. Modern replacement not only close all the way, they are guaranteed to lock properly for decades to come.

·        Wind Mitigation - Building codes now require that windows in Northeast Florida be able to withstand storm force winds. Older windows are less likely to be “up to code.” Replacement windows will provide greater protection to you and your family when a serious storm next hits Jacksonville.

If you want to let the Sunshine in this summer without making you sweat your electric bill, contact us at HomeRite Windows and Doors by calling (904) 296-2515 or visiting our showroom at 4801 Executive Park Court, Building 200, Suite 207, Jacksonville; FL 32216. 

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Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. He and Richard Walden have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 25 years. They strive to match homeowners with the right windows and doors for their homes and budgets. They make the home improvement process pleasant with first-rate, energy-efficient products, affordable pricing, and award-winning installers who employ the best practices and who always treat customers and their property with the utmost respect.