How do you lose heat through windows in winter?

Did you know that in winter, up to 26% of indoor heat is directed outward, moving from hot to cold?

You may have guessed that this heat loss is not without consequences: first, it impacts our comfort at home, and second, it directly affects the budget you need to allocate for electricity and heating.

Thermoco helps you choose the best heating system to suit your needs. But your environment must also promote heat retention.

How does it work?

Heat loss through windows occurs in three different ways.

• Through the glass
• Between the frame and the window sash
• The installation

Each of these processes concerns a specific part of your window, which will help you better understand air loss and ultimately address the situation.

Through the glass

Heat travels through the glass by infrared and ultraviolet radiation. Did you know that?

This ability of glass to emit heat by radiation is called emissivity.

The higher the emissivity of a glass, the more heat it lets escape. This is especially true at night and in winter.

But how can we address such a problem if we find that our glass indeed has a high emissivity? Coatings exist that will help you maintain your indoor comfort where it belongs!

Air leaks between the frame and the window casing

As you might have guessed, air leaks are encouraged by a gap between the frame and the window casing. This isn’t always visible, although you might literally feel the cold air coming through when there’s a lot of wind.

Installation

While the quality of the window matters, the careful installation is key. If the window frame has been poorly sealed, or if the masonry isn’t sufficiently airtight, or if the seals or caulking are damaged, air leaks will follow.

Remedies within reach

Thermoco has found two exterior additions that can greatly reduce heat loss, as well as improve overall insulation and even soundproof your home!

Roll-up shutters

Roll-up shutters, also known as retractable shutters, are actually an assembly of small slats interlocked with each other. These slats can be made of aluminum or plastic, and between each one is an air gap or polyurethane foam.

What you really need to remember is that the exterior roll-up shutters are attached to the top of the windows and are adjusted to fit snugly against the edges to limit air leaks.

A storm window that you remove in summer

A storm window is placed against the outer surface of the window. It essentially helps to greatly reduce air leaks. It is a very efficient system and provides long-term protection. You can find fixed ones or those with sliding panels on the market.