Friday, July 8, 2011

How To Reduce Your Energy Usage With Sash Window Draught Proofing This Winter

By Jason Wood


Heating costs in homes continue to increase, usually because the price of heating fuel and power is increasing. You might be surprised to learn that you are increasing your heating costs when your windows are old and draughty. You can reduce your carbon foot print with sash window draught proofing this winter. Heating the air in your rooms and maintaining the comfort level is one thing; using your energy dollars to try to stay ahead of a cold draught.

The window frames of sash windows are often subject to splits and cracks. If these are significant, they can let air seep in through the frames. The glazing around the windows can dry out. If it dries too much, the pieces can break away from the glass. As with the cracks, air will come through the open spaces where the sealant has broken.

You can get air leaks when the wind blows because of gaps in the sealant where the glass meets the wood. When new sealing compound is applied, the air leaks disappear. Also, you don't get the rattles and whistling sound from the wind pushing against the glass and moving the frames against the casements.

Leaks of air can appear if the wood window frame dries out and shrinks. Another problem with dry wood is that it will stick when you try to open or close the window. The wood doesn't dry uniformly. You may get the window to move correctly, but it might squeak. You might see splinters of dry wood break away from the body of the frame. When you sand the wood smooth and refinish it, the windows are tightened up and the draughts disappear.

A draught is movement of cold air in the room. The air is less heated than the regular room air so you tend to notice it more readily. When there is a draught, you feel cold so you put on a robe, wrap up in a blanket or don a sweater. Or, if you are like most people, you will turn up the thermostat a little.

Heating your home is usually done with carbon-based fuel. You must purchase that energy from somewhere. The resources of the earth are not limitless. When you tighten up your windows to remove drafts, the air in the room will feel warmer so you won't be tempted to turn up the heat.

Every time you use fuel or energy sources in this way, you are wasting the natural resources of the planet. Instead of turning up the heat to try to feel warm this winter, why not take another path to comfort? You can reduce your carbon foot print with sash window draught proofing this winter.




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