When was the last time you contemplated the condition of your home’s windows? It can be quite easy to overlook the condition of your windows since other areas of your home will often demand more of your attention. However, failing to check your windows and see if your home requires window replacement can easily cost you hundreds of dollars every year, especially in Chicago where we experience a wide range of weather conditions.
Fortunately, inspecting your windows to see if you need to have them replaced is quite simple to do if you know what signs indicate the need for window replacement. With that in mind, here are a few tell-tale signs you should be on the lookout for:
Increasingly Difficult to Operate
Have you recently noticed that your current set of windows have been difficult to open or close as of late? Difficulty in operating your windows is one of the most common reasons for window replacement in Chicago. Wood windows are often the most common offenders in this case, so it’s a good idea to check them if you have wood windows in your home. If you are experiencing this problem, don’t pull your hair out by putting up with this issue. It’s much more efficient to have your windows replaced instead.
Unusually High Energy Bills
It isn’t uncommon to see higher energy bills during the summer or winter. However, some increases may be unusual, especially if your energy rates and energy consumption haven’t changed all that much. In many cases, the cause of the spike in your energy bill may be your windows. Older windows tend to be less efficient in keeping warm/cold air inside your home. This often forces your HVAC system to work harder to compensate for the loss of heating/cooling in your home, which is why your energy bills have been increasing.
Poor Soundproofing
The best windows are more than capable of muffling noise coming from the street. However, older windows will easily transfer noise from the outside into your home. Try standing next to your window and wait for a vehicle to pass by. If you can hear it “coming for a mile away”, then your windows’ soundproofing is definitely shot. To avoid this problem with your next set of windows, you may want to avoid choosing single-pane and double-pane windows.
Drafts Enter Your Home
Needless to say, your windows should not allow drafts to enter your home. After all, this issue can really mess with your home’s energy efficiency, leading to higher energy bills. The best way to check your windows for drafts is to light a match near a closed window. Put out the fire and carefully watch the smoke. If it begins dancing around instead of simply rising up in a relatively straight line, there is a good chance that particular window is allowing a draft to enter your home.
Formation of Condensation
The formation of condensation is not a particularly odd sight, especially if you ran your home’s HVAC system on high overnight. However, condensation should be forming from the outside in such cases. If you’ve noticed condensation forming on the inside of your windows, then you may have a seal issue. Although the problem can be resolved by caulking the window, the problem can easily extend to other parts of your window. Not replacing the faulty window also increases the risk of mold growth.
If you notice any of the aforementioned problems, make sure you call a window replacement contractor like Muller Exteriors. Not only do replacement windows help improve the aesthetic appeal of your home, but the newer energy-efficient windows on sale today can help you save hundreds of dollars every year!
