Ever wonder why your bills seem much higher during the winter? Aside from the much-needed heat that’s necessary to keep your home warm and cozy, your old windows could really be to blame. When your caulking or window structure begins to fail, you lose the insulation value of the window. The heat in turn easily escapes and puts your heating system into overdrive, pushing the cost of your utility bills much higher.

Instead of throwing your money out the window this year, start implementing our cold weather window care 101 tips below.

Check And Fix Caulking And Glass

Over time, your window caulking can wear down, and the glass along the frame can begin to crack. Once this happens, the cold winter air can easily begin to seep inside while your warm indoor air begins to leak outside. To prevent this from happening, check your window frames and glass for any noticeable gaps or cracks. You can simply use a candle or incense stick to help identify where any air leaks are occurring. If you find any areas of caulking that need replacing, remove and install with new material to give the window a tight seal.

Install Window Shrink Film

To help improve the insulation of your windows, you can also consider installing a durable, transparent plastic film that can be applied to the interior part of your windows. This is a temporary option that can make your windows more winter ready by providing an extra barrier to avoid or reduce heat loss from occurring.

Install Storm Windows

Another way to implement cold weather window care is by installing storm windows. Storm windows are a little pricier than shrink film but offer cost-effective solutions when it comes to upgrading the energy efficiency of your windows and home. By increasing the temperature of the inside window, storm windows work to achieve lower utility bills, making it an effective option during the winter.

Try Low-Emissivity Films

There’s also another type of window film that you can use to help maintain your heat levels indoors during the winter. Low-emissivity films or “Low-E” films are a plastic film that contains metal or metal oxides to block and reflect the UV rays. These innovative energy-efficient coatings have been proven to conserve over 50% of the heat during the winter time, making them a popular item among homeowners who are eager to save on their utility costs.

Replace Your Old Windows

If your windows are more than 15 years old, it may be necessary to replace your old ones with new energy-efficient models. Just consider the advantages – a full window replacement is one of the best reno projects for generating a return on investment. Plus, you get a fresh new facelift for your home, and you can take advantage of all the newest energy efficiency upgrades that will save you money in the long run.

You don’t have to keep experiencing those painful energy bills during the winter year after year. Take the time to inspect your windows during the fall to pinpoint any problems with air leaks and insulation. If you’re unsure of where to begin or what window improvement option is best for you, contact us today at M&T Glass. We’re your window repair and installation experts that are here to help!