Drafty Windows and the Houston Electricity Bill
A cold draft in January and a hot wall in August are usually the same defect. Air is moving through the assembly, and only some of the causes are the window.
When I negotiate extrusion contracts with overseas suppliers, I look strictly at the numbers. Business economics requires brutal honesty about where the money goes. Home energy efficiency works the exact same way. If you want to lower your electricity bill, you have to diagnose the actual leak.
Why is there a cold draft along your sill in January?
Air moves through a wall assembly in three places. The first is the sash-to-frame seal, where weatherstripping has worn flat. The second is the frame-to-wall joint, where the original installer failed to use sealant behind the trim. The third is radiant heat through the glass, which feels like a draft but is actually solar gain baking the room.
Are windows actually the biggest leak in your house?
This is where I refuse to sell you a product. Do not buy thirty new windows to lower your electricity bill if your attic insulation is failing. Unsealed top plates and leaking ductwork in an unconditioned attic will cost you far more money than a drafty sash. Fix the attic first for a fraction of the price. I will not quote a magical payback period to justify selling you windows your house does not need yet.
How do you diagnose the draft yourself?
Run the back of your hand around the sash on a breezy day. If the draft is at the sash, you might just need a five-dollar weatherstrip replacement. If the draft is at the trim, the installation failed. If nothing moves but the room is an oven in August, your glass specification is wrong.
When you are ready to upgrade the glass, we mix tiers based on the elevation. Read the three tier comparison and send us a quote request.
Questions from this guide
Will new windows lower my Houston electricity bill?
They help significantly on a sun-loaded west wall. However, attic insulation and leaking ducts usually move more air. Fix those first for maximum savings.
Can weatherstripping fix a drafty window?
Yes, if the frame is square and the leak is at the sash. It will not fix a frame that lacks a thermal break or an installation that lacks perimeter sealant.
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