What Makes a Window Energy Efficient?

When it comes to energy bills, the quality of your home windows are usually one of the first things that comes to mind. We break down what makes a window an effective insulator and what you can do to ensure your windows have these qualities.

Quality of Installation The contractor that installs your replacement windows plays a pivotal role in their functionality and longevity. Improper installation could lead to gaps, air leakages, and an outright crooked look that could severely decrease your home’s curb appeal. At Wallside Windows, window installation is our second nature. With over 70+ years of experience in custom-designing vinyl windows in our own factory and working with Michigan homeowners, we know how to do it right. After a free in-home estimate, we'll come to you and ensure a job well-done by checking:

• Functionality (ease of open and shut)
• Removal of old windows
• Thorough clean up
• Add extra sealing defense with insulation foam and energy-efficient caulk

Grade of Glass In recent years, window insulation technology has made amazing advances. The glass is a key component to the conductivity and energy efficiency of a window. Window glass is rated by its U-factor, which, in short, gauges its ability to protect a home from absorbing external heat while preserving the energy produced inside. Wallside Windows adds Low-E coating to its windows to ensure a balanced home climate throughout all of Michigan’s seasons.

Single, Double, or Triple Pane The number of panes—a.k.a. sheets of glass—a window uses is correlated to amount of insulation it provides. Double planes are widely renowned for their affordability and energy preservation whereas triple panes, which teeter are on the pricier side, offer an even greater protection.

Type of Frame Each style of window frame offers a unique insulation capacities. Wallside Windows prides itself on offering vinyl window frames due to its ability to provide strong insulation armor throughout the seasons while also considering customers’ financial needs.

The Art of Soundproofing Your Home

Whether you live in a city, suburb, or rural community, noises from outside are a constant burden at all times of the day. Just when you think you’re going to get a good night’s rest, your neighbor decides it’s time to jam out or a family member begins to blare the television.  Although not all of us may share the same circumstances, we most likely experience a similar noise annoyance from in our outside our house. Listed below are some of the most effective solutions to take when it comes to soundproofing your house..

Re-seal your Windows After constantly being exposed to storms and other adverse weather conditions, window seals begin to wither and sink in value. Use silicone caulk to fill gaps and apertures around your window’s frame; this will ensure that both drafts and noise are impeded from traveling into your home. However, if your window frames are beaten with cracks and require over-the-top maintenance, it may be time to install new replacement windows.

Noise Control Draperies A plentiful variety of soundproof curtain manufacturers exist across the web. These companies specialize imbue curtains, draperies, or blinds with leading noise-reduction technologies so that your home is shielded from unwanted clatter while simultaneously retaining the fashionable look and light-blocking functionality of regular window treatments.

Padded Carpeting or Underlayment Due to low cost in pricing or a focus on fashion, there are a lot of carpets out there don’t hit the mark in insulating noise. If you enjoy the look and feel of your current carpet but are having issues with noise, consider investing in carpet padding or underlayment; generally constructed from foam material, these work in a way that lighten the external spread of audio from devices such as radio and television so that it’s contained within a room (your roommates will thank you). Although these are effective in all livings spaces, they are especially handy when it comes to apartment or condo owners who want to be mindful of their noise output.

Acoustic Foam Panels This mainly applies to those who record music or podcasts in their home. Whether you record in a home studio or a small room, having a soundproof interior furnished with soundproofing equipment is key to clear, quality audio. After purchasing your acoustic panels—which can be found at your local hardware store or around the web—the next step is to discover the areas in the room that bounces the soundwaves around the room in a way that makes it overlap and degrade quality. Place the panels at these locations so that a maximum amount of reverberation is absorbed into them. Also, take into consideration the room’s size, design, and the placement of your speakers or the source of where the sound is produced from; this is important so you know the size and optimal location to diffuse the waves.

Hedging and Shrubbery There’s no better defense against exterior noise pollution than large bushes and plants. Look into tall, thick hedges and year-round bushes around the perimeter of your home (next to the street, if possible). Not only does your home benefit from a plunge in annoying noise, new landscaping also increases its curb appeal and privacy.

Turn Your Home Into an Eco-Friendly Zone

Whether your aim is to save the rain forest or you just want to trim down that energy bill, one thing is the same for both goals: results don't come in just one day. Turning your home into an environmental savvy zone requires time, patience, and readjustment in small (but important!) daily habits.  To reduce energy waste and promote a green living space - not to mention chiseling down that electric bill - take heed of the tips provided below.

If You're Not Using It, It Shouldn't Be On Many common household gadgets are energy vampires. Cut down on unnecessary output by unplugging devices after they’re charged; laptops, desktops, and smartphones are huge here. Switch off radios, light fixtures, TVs, video game consoles, and cooking equipment when there’s no one around to use them. This sounds like common sense but it’s an unfortunate habit for many of us.

Waste Bin Convenience Everyone, for the most part, has experienced this situation. You finish a soda or canned beverage, but there’s no recycling container in sight—just the regular trash bin. You want to recycle, but aren’t exactly on board with wandering around with a sticky, empty can for an unsaid amount of minutes until you find the proper place to stash it. While at home, this scenario can be easily solved by implementing separate recycling bins for plastic, cardboard, and glass materials of all sizes (within means).

Windows: Are They Sealed? If your window seals are worn and letting air slip in and out of your home, action should be taken promptly. Either seal the gap yourself or contact Wallside Windows to speak with a professional and get your windows back up to speed.Solving air leakages from window complications can do wonders to insulate your home and conserve both heat and air conditioning.

Choice of Light Bulb Model Opt for CFL or LED light bulb models to light your homes. As it’s now known, incandescent bulbs are both less efficient and eco-friendly than the alternative styles mentioned above.

Plants Though their impact is subtle, incorporating plants into a living space is a hugely underrated way to circulate inside quarters with pure, natural air. Find a plant that complements your interior design and can generate an ample amount of fresh air.

Harness the Sun with Solar Power Investing in solar panel technology can, in the long haul, take a serious chunk out of your energy bill. As far as being eco-friendly goes, substituting gas or electric energy for sun power can make an immense difference by doing away with externalities such as carbon emissions, smog, and acid rain.

Energy-Efficient Windows Give your windows an inspection. Judging by their age and the frequency of repairs they've required as of late, it may be time for new replacement windows. Get a free estimate from Wallside Windows to learn about how they use heating spacers and e-glass in their window's designs for optimal insulation.

Reducing Window Fog: How It’s Done

Whatever style of home windows you have, fog is bound to accumulate around them. Here's what you need to know about why fog so commonly accumulates on windows and what you can do to lessen the frequency of it.

What Produces Fog When warm and cool air mix, it creates condensation (fog). Indoor activities—such as cooking or showering—are producers of ordinary fog creation due to the condensation from the warm water they use. Although fog is normal, there are circumstances when it can be a serious detriment to your home—especially when build up becomes excessive and recurring. Another common instance of fog is when the seasons change—a swift clash of dissimilar temperatures.

Symptoms of Dangerous Fog Buildup The presence of home fog can usually be attributed to gaps or cracks in window frame, broken weatherstripping, or shoddy window seals. These allow intrusive airflow that, when mixed with the home’s air,  becomes condensation. For example, when warm summer air enters a cool, air-conditioned living space and mixes with the cool air generated throughout the interior, it creates fog. When the windows contain a significant amount of fog, it’s a sign other areas of the house may bear moisture buildup; check the ceilings, walls, and attic as these are main points this humidity collects.

Why It Should be Taken Care of Immediately Health hazards such as moisture and mildew are known to accompany the presence of fog, so it's imperative you take care of any noticeably high collections of condensation or humidity as soon as possible. Also, with enough moisture build up, your home's infrastructure can suffer adverse effects to areas such as its roof and furniture.

Ways to Defog Home Windows: As mentioned above, there are a number of culprits that could point to your home's fog accumulation. Look below for some of the most effective methods:

1. As discussed above, windows are your primary defense against moisture-packed air from infiltrating your home; check for air leakages, gaps, or poor sealing and take appropriate action to repair them.

2. To reduce humidity, use a dehumidifier in rooms with noticeably high instances of condensation.

3. Install double-pane replacement windows, which are supreme insulators against cold weather and moisture alike.

4. Ventilate humidity-concentrated areas with fans.

5. In general, do less activities that use hot water in order to mitigate humidity.

New Homeowners: Watch out For These Surprise Expenses

  As most first-time homeowners know, the bills have a knack for surprising us from time to time. We’ve put together a list of some of the most common perpetrators of monthly fees that seem to come out of nowhere.

Air Conditioning & Heating Other common culprits of a surprisingly high energy bill include using excessive air conditioning or heating. If you get into a habit of accidentally leaving them on while away from home, consider investing in a programmable thermostat; these allow you to wirelessly control your home’s temperature from your phone and calculate the most efficient use of energy.

Electronics Make a list of the electronics that you use on a daily basis. Think about which ones you leave running while not in use. For example, turning off the television and lights before heading out to the grocery store is a great energy-saving habit to get into. Save cash by curbing the use of your home’s major energy-sucking appliances, such as:

• Computers
• Cell phones
• Coffee pot
• Lights
• Fans
• Video games

Faulty Windows First and foremost, the cornerstone to an energy-efficient home is well-insulated windows. If you experience recurring drafts, have to conduct excessive window maintenance, and your home’s energy bill is higher than usual, you may want to consider installing replacement windows. If gone unnoticed, faulty windows could lead to a serious home damage and avoidable preventable energy expenses. Avoid these by scanning your home windows at least twice a year to look for any of these issues.  If you have any questions concerning repairs or are interested in new replacement windows, contact Wallside Windows for expert assistance.

Water In many ways, we rely on water not only for survival, but also for the integrity of our home appliances. Unfortunately, when a water-dependent appliance occurs and it goes unnoticed, it can hike up the water bill a significant amount. Save water by keeping a tight eye out for leaks around the house, running toilets, and leaving the hose running; cut back on shower time and practice general water-conserving habits like switching the faucet off while brushing your teeth.