Tips
Winterize your windows in 4 easy steps
Chilly weather is right around the corner. Before you hunker down for the season, take these simple steps to winterize your windows.
A little bit of window and door maintenance can go a long way toward keeping your home cozy and your energy bills in check all through the winter. Not only that, but regular maintenance can also help keep your windows and doors operating properly in the long run. Are you convinced yet? Let’s get started!
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3. Control window condensation by reducing humidity
Condensation appears when warm, moist air meets cooler surfaces, like a cold drink on a hot summer day or your window on a cold winter day. Condensation on your window’s interior can block the view, drip on the floor, or freeze on the glass. If you’re noticing any of these issues, it’s a sign the humidity levels are too high inside your home (30 to 35% is recommended during the winter months). Check your thermostat, as it may monitor the humidity level. If not, you can buy an inexpensive tool called a hygrometer to see your humidity levels.
Here are a few ways to reduce indoor humidity:
- Check your ventilation.
- Use a dehumidifier.
- Turn the humidifier on your furnace down (or off).
- Keep blinds or curtains open during the day.
- Leave ceiling fans on to promote air movement.
- Use an exhaust fan in bathroom areas when showering.
Tip: It's important to note where condensation is appearing. If you notice fog in between the panes of glass on a dual-pane window, it’s a sign of seal failure and an indication that you need to replace the window.
4. Invest in long-term solutions
If you’re ready for a more permanent solution, window replacement can help reduce costs on your monthly energy bills, improve the comfort of your home, and even increase real estate value — realtors agree that Andersen® windows and doors increase the value of a home by at least 15%.*
Plus, windows and doors can be installed at any time — regardless of the season. Here are a few options to be aware of:
- ENERGY STAR® certified windows will not only improve the comfort of your home year-round, they can also reduce your monthly energy bills. For example, replacing single-hung windows reduces bills by an average of 13% nationwide.** These windows can help reduce both heating and cooling costs through the use of climate-appropriate glass options.
- Andersen® Narroline® conversion kits are a great option if your home has Narroline double-hung windows that were made from 1968 to 2013.These double-hung conversion kits can turn older windows into convenient, tilt-wash double-hung windows with high-performance Low-E4® glass that’s 45% more energy efficiency in the winter months.*** To identify if the products in your home are Narroline windows, use our Identify Your Product tool.
**Winter values are based on comparison of Andersen® double-hung window conversion kit U-Factor to the U-Factor for clear dual pane glass non-metal frame default values from the 2 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018 International Energy Conservation Code "Glazed Fenestration" Default Tables.
***Winter values are based on comparison of Andersen® double-hung window conversion kit U-Factor to the U-Factor for clear dual pane glass non-metal frame default values from the 2 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018 International Energy Conservation Code "Glazed Fenestration" Default Tables.
