With home heating and cooling costs continuing to rise, it doesn't look like the trend is about to reverse any time soon. Fortunately, you have options in ways to significantly reduce these ever-increasing costs. One inexpensive yet extremely beneficial method is to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation installation. It's very easy to do.
Actually replacing of your sash windows is expensive and probably way too difficult for the average do-it-yourself person to handle. It's probably not the best idea anyway, unless your existing windows are totally shot and beyond repair. Older wood framed windows are almost always worth saving, if possible, rather than being replaced with new vinyl facsimiles. They may just need to be refurbished to be put back into shape.
If you could take a look at your living space with a thermal imaging device you'd probably be shocked at the amount of energy being wasted. During colder months not only is the cold being let in but the heat is also being allowed to escape. During summer it's the exact opposite. This can be fixed, and it should be.
The culprits costing you precious energy loss can be many including unsealed basements, uninsulated attics, fireplaces, ill-fitting doors and, above all, inefficient windows. Older, single-paned sash windows were never ultra-efficient to begin with, even when new. When they get older they become even less able to provide an effective thermal barrier. There are ways to remedy this.
The first thing to do is to take off the window trim and fill the gap between the window frame and the wall. Use non-expanding foam for best results. If you're not able to easily remove the trim you should, instead, caulk both the inside and outside edges of it.
Next, weather stripping should be applied around all the window's moving parts. Metal, foam, rubber and vinyl stripping are all available. Nailing it on is best and will be the longest lasting solution. If nailing is not an option, such as with vinyl or metal windows, self-sticking weather stripping is a good alternative.
Finally, glass panes may be loose and need to be re-puttied or caulked into place. These ways to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation should make your home more comfortable immediately. As a bonus, less noise and dust should also be noticed as well!
Actually replacing of your sash windows is expensive and probably way too difficult for the average do-it-yourself person to handle. It's probably not the best idea anyway, unless your existing windows are totally shot and beyond repair. Older wood framed windows are almost always worth saving, if possible, rather than being replaced with new vinyl facsimiles. They may just need to be refurbished to be put back into shape.
If you could take a look at your living space with a thermal imaging device you'd probably be shocked at the amount of energy being wasted. During colder months not only is the cold being let in but the heat is also being allowed to escape. During summer it's the exact opposite. This can be fixed, and it should be.
The culprits costing you precious energy loss can be many including unsealed basements, uninsulated attics, fireplaces, ill-fitting doors and, above all, inefficient windows. Older, single-paned sash windows were never ultra-efficient to begin with, even when new. When they get older they become even less able to provide an effective thermal barrier. There are ways to remedy this.
The first thing to do is to take off the window trim and fill the gap between the window frame and the wall. Use non-expanding foam for best results. If you're not able to easily remove the trim you should, instead, caulk both the inside and outside edges of it.
Next, weather stripping should be applied around all the window's moving parts. Metal, foam, rubber and vinyl stripping are all available. Nailing it on is best and will be the longest lasting solution. If nailing is not an option, such as with vinyl or metal windows, self-sticking weather stripping is a good alternative.
Finally, glass panes may be loose and need to be re-puttied or caulked into place. These ways to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation should make your home more comfortable immediately. As a bonus, less noise and dust should also be noticed as well!
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If you want to reduce your energy costs, sash window draught proofing is a great way to start. When you arrange for sash window refurbishment, you stop outside air from entering and temperature controlled air from leaving your home.
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