Keep the Cold Out While Still Letting the Sun in This Winter

Brrr! It seems that fall skipped over the Midstate region, and Old Man Winter is already knocking at our doors. As temperatures continue to drop, it’s tempting to draw the drapes, curl up with a blanket and hibernate until spring.

But don’t block out the sun to stay warm inside your home. Thick thermal curtains and layers of opaque plastic aren’t the only way to weatherproof windows.

Spot the Leaks

Cracks are the biggest culprit for letting warm air out and cold air in. In addition to making living spaces uncomfortable, cracks can lead to high utility bills; to avoid this, caulk can be used to permanently seal any leaks around windows and doors.

Weather stripping, which can be purchased at a local home improvement store, can be attached to any moving parts around a window and can be easily removed when warm weather returns—and individuals are still able to enjoy the view outside their windows all winter long.

Ready for Replacement Windows?

If you’re planning to upgrade your windows before the colder winter months, pay attention to what you’re buying. In addition to looking for windows with more than one pane of glass, think about choosing low-E glass.

While low-E windows will run about 20 percent more than regular windows, they are treated with an invisible metallic coating that reflects UV light. This coating will reduce energy bills in the winter and the summer, while still allowing plenty of light into homes.

Photo: Tambako the Jaguar