Living in Atlanta is like living in paradise.  The weather is always perfect.  You can open your windows to let a comfortable breeze in any time of year.  Energy companies only exist in Atlanta for the sake of giving us light and making our kitchen appliances run, after all.  In some parts of the country, people have to use something called air conditioning in the summer and a heater in the winter, likely most Atlantans haven’t even heard of these monstrosities…

Well, we can dream anyways.  Until tectonic plates shift Atlanta to the Pacific coast we’ll have to put up with hot summers and cool winters.  While A/C and heat are a necessity here, spending a fortune on the energy bill isn’t.  As a leader in energy saving devices; windows, doors, and insulation, we consider ourselves experts in energy conservation at NG Windows and are happy to give you a few pointers.

Windows

Older windows are nice to look at if they’re properly maintained, but unfortunately, they’re just not energy efficient.  Window glass is now insulated and properly sealed so inside and outside air stays where it’s supposed to.  Older windows don’t have the technological abilities to fully insulate the way today’s quality windows do.

Doors

Doors must fit snugly into their frames, as fitting mistakes can leave gaps between the door and the walls, allowing cold air to spill outside. The biggest gap usually appears at the bottom of the door; if you notice a draft there, you’ll either need to replace the door or seal the gap.  New doors are energy efficient and expertly sealed so that as little energy as possible as wasted.

Attics

For full insulation, you should seal your attic off from the outside and the rest of your house off from the attic. A spray foam insulation is the most efficient and best way to insulate your attic.  It ensures that all the holes and gaps are filled appropriately. For full insulation, you should seal your attic off from the outside and remove the loose fill fiberglass insulation from the floor of your attic.  Anytime you need to take stuff out or put things away in the attic, do it as quickly as possible and make sure to never leave the attic door open.

Chimneys

Chimneys are a huge energy waster, with or without a fire going.  If you don’t plug your chimney up during the summer, air can leak out of your house through the fireplace flue. Consider installing a laminated “chimney balloon” to block air from getting in or out of the flue. Just remember to take the balloon out when you start using your fireplace again.

Floors

If your home is built slightly above the foundation with a crawl space, cold air is encroaching underneath your home and creating cold floors all winter.  Insulation underneath your floorboards is imperative, but also, carpeted floors and rugs work as an insulation as well.

Basements

In the summer time, the basement can be the most comfortable place in the house, even if you don’t air-condition it.  In the winter, you likely need to supply heat to it, if your furnace doesn’t keep it warm enough on its own.  Make sure to keep the door into the basement sealed, because often the staircase into isn’t climatized and heat or cool air can rapidly escape.  Also, if your basement is partially above ground you likely have windows to the outside.  Like the windows on the main level of the home, these windows need to be sealed and made of insulated glass as well.  Last, make sure the basement is well insulated, while naturally the temperature of a basement is moderated since it’s underground, insulation also keeps moisture out, which you don’t want in your basement.

 

North Georgia Replacement Windows replaces windows for life. Beyond windows, we also replace doors, provide insulation and give energy audits so that you know your home’s efficiency and sustainability so that you can make the right choice for your home’s needs.

Whether you’re replacing your windows for aesthetics, energy efficiency or your current windows just aren’t functional anymore, NG Windows has your solution.  Visit us at our showroom to start getting a feel for what is right for you.