Colder Climate Window Tips to Keep the Heat In

You’ve probably heard it said that “every little bit helps,” and that is especially true with regard to conserving your household’s heat in the wintertime. For those who live in cold climates, it can be a challenge to keep the heat from escaping via the windows. Here are some tips for holding on to the heat within your home.

-The sun shines in winter, too.

Cats have this figured out – on cold winter days, if you own a cat, chances are he or she is lying in a sunbeam on the floor. You, too, can take advantage of the slanted winter sunshine by opening curtains and shades and letting the sun in. Take note, however, at what time the sun moves away from that particular window and cover it accordingly.

-Draw the curtains at night.

When it’s dark is the time to pull shades and draw curtains. This keeps the heat from escaping through the windows during the cold, dark night. It also keeps cold air from leaking in and getting past the windows into the room. Remember, too, that dark colors absorb heat – darker shades and curtains will retain heat better.

-Weather stripping

A simple, effective way to conserve heat is to apply weather stripping to windows. This inexpensive tape can be purchased at most hardware stores and is not hard to apply. Don’t forget the windows in the garage door, attic, and basement.

-Consider replacing your windows.

If you have single-pane windows, consider replacing them with double-pane, gas-filled windows. If your existing windows have aluminum frames, replacing them with vinyl panes will be even more energy efficient – aluminum conducts cold and is a poor insulator. Some windows made for cold climates have low emissivity (or low-e) coatings on them which also help to reduce heat loss by reflecting heat back into the room.

-Storm windows

If you live in a cold climate and are unable to spring for new windows, go for storm windows. These come in exterior or interior varieties. If you plan to remove them after winter is over, go for the interior variety. These even come in plastic sheets, and cost less than exterior ones. Be sure the plastic or glass sheet is sealed tightly with weather stripping (which comes in a removable variety).

-Clean your windows before winter sets in.

Clean windows let in more warming light. Before the bad weather comes, clean the windows inside and out. This is also a good time to check for leaks and other issues with your windows.

All of these steps add up to help winterize your windows and conserve heat, thus saving you money this winter and making you more comfortable.

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