5 Tips to Keep Your Chicago Home Energy-Efficient During the Summer

You could save up to 30 percent on utility bills by making a few energy-efficient changes to your home.

When the temperature rises, you’re going to turn up the air conditioning. But if you’re trying to conserve energy and save money, that may not be the best course of action.

Read our five tips to keep your home energy-efficient during summertime in Chicago.

1. Replace Old Windows

Replace old or damaged windows is the easiest way to make your home energy-efficient.

If you feel a draft near your windows, you are letting the Chicago heat wave into your home. Drafts also release your cool air outside, causing you to waste money.

Replace glass windows with vinyl windows for the best energy-efficient results. Window replacement makes for a lower energy bill and a more comfortable home.

2. Consider Energy-Efficient Exterior Doors

Your exterior doors welcome guest into your home, but they can also be welcoming the outside air. Make your life easier and replace your exterior doors with energy-efficient doors.

When picking out your new doors, pay special attention to the material used. Your door should fit snug and have a tight seal.

For more help picking the best energy-efficient exterior door, click here.

3. Use Your Ceiling Fans

Odds are you already have a ceiling fan in most rooms of your home. Using the ceiling fan can help cool you off and increase energy-efficiency.

Ceiling fans reduce energy usage by up to 40 percent in the summer. They use less power and cost less to operate than your air conditioner. Turn your fan on and raise your thermostat by a few degrees.

They key is to turn on a ceiling fan while you are in the room. Ceiling fans work best to cool people, not to cool down empty rooms.

4. Try a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat makes energy efficiency an easy task. These devices are wifi-enabled to control your home’s temperatures.

These work by learning your family’s schedule and temperature preference. The smart thermostat adjusts depending on if you are home, away, or sleeping.

If you don’t have a smart thermostat, the ideal summer thermostat setting is 77 degrees.

5. Maintain Your HVAC

Annual maintenance is essential to ensure your HVAC is energy-efficient.

The easiest maintenance task is changing your filter every six months. Your filter gets clogged up over time. This causes your system to use more energy to produce the same amount of cold air.

Once a year you should also clean your outdoor unit. Remove the exterior panel and hose down the inside of your unit.

Use a vacuum to remove any large debris. Make sure you turn the unit off before cleaning it.

More Tips To Keep Your Home Energy-Efficient

Keeping your home energy-efficient during the summer in Chicago is no easy task. Try a few of these other tricks once you conquer the top five tips.

• Buy energy-efficient appliances
• Insulate the interior and exterior of your home
• Open windows and turn off the air conditioner at night

Contact the Chicago Window Guys for help making your home energy-efficient this summer.

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How A Home Window Replacement Can Save You Money

Discover How a Window Replacement Can Save You Money

Do you need to replace some or all of your home’s windows? Are you concerned about the costs of home window replacement? You’re not alone. Replacing windows is not inexpensive, however, the good news is that replacement windows can actually save you money in the long term.

Home window replacements can save you money by improving your home’s energy efficiency, increasing your home’s resale value, and potentially making you eligible for local, state, and federal tax credits.

Window Replacements Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

If your windows are due for a replacement, chances are that they are already leaking. You may have found yourself paying a higher energy bill each month as a portion of your heating and air conditioning budget literally disappears out the window. Replacement windows will seal those gaps and prevent heat transfer.

In older homes with notoriously inefficient single pane windows, this is the perfect time to consider an upgrade to dual pane windows. The switch from single to dual pane will result in an even greater level of energy savings.

Energy Star estimates that homeowners who replace their old windows with Energy Star certified windows can expect to see an average 15% decrease in their energy costs.

Window Replacements Increase Your Home’s Resale Value

Home buyers are showing an increased interest in energy-saving features. New windows, especially those which come with an Energy Star rating, are an attractive upgrade.

In fact, the Chicago Tribune reported that several studies have been done to quantify exactly how large a resale value increase homeowners with upgraded windows can anticipate. A 2014 study by Build It Green found that homes in Los Angeles County increased in value by 6% when the windows were upgraded. A similar Adomatis Appraisal Services study in 2015 found that Washington D.C. homes gained a 2-5% increase in value with similar upgrades.

To put that in perspective, a $400,000 home would be worth $20,000 more after the expected 5% increase in value following new window installation.

Window Replacements May Earn You A Tax Credit

We all love getting a tax break every now and then, and your new home windows may provide you with just that. Certain cities and states offer tax incentives to homeowners who install more efficient replacement windows. Check to see what you may qualify for.

In addition to local and state credits, there is also a federal Residential Energy Efficiency Property Credit which homeowners who upgrade their windows may be eligible to receive.

Summary

• Replacement windows may actually save homeowners money in the long term.
• You are losing money each month that goes by when you have inefficient windows.
• Replacement windows improve energy efficiency by decreasing the amount of thermal transfer between your home and the outdoors.
• Switching to Energy Star rated windows decreases energy bills by an average of 15%.
• Home resale values have been shown to increase by 2-6% after installation of Energy Star rated windows.
• Local, state, and federal tax credits are available to homeowners who make the change to energy efficient windows.

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https://chicagowindowguy.com/home-tips/how-a-home-window-replacement-can-save-you-money/

10 Essential Steps For A Proper Window Installation

Follow These 10 Easy Steps  For A Proper Window Installation

Whether you are installing new windows yourself or hiring a professional, simply knowing the basics about the process will save you time and money. Here we provide you a breakdown of the 10 essential steps for a proper window installation.

1. Confirming the Measurements

No doubt you have heard the old adage “measure twice, cut once” and that philosophy applies to window installation as well. Prior to beginning the installation process, you or your installer should measure both the old window and new window to check for any discrepancies.

2. Removal of the Existing Window

Carefully remove the old window while protecting the wall and any facings or moldings which will be reinstalled with the new window.

It is generally advisable to change out the window frame at the same time an old window is replaced since old frames are often not weathertight. These old frames may allow air and moisture to pass between your home and the outside environment leading to increased heating/air conditioning costs and structural damage from rotting wood.

3. Inspection of the Opening

Once the old frame is removed, check the exposed opening to ensure that there is no structural damage which needs to be repaired prior to installing the new window.

4. Positioning

Confirm the proper fit of the new window by placing it into the frame and positioning so that the glass is as close to the exterior of the opening as possible. Correct positioning is vital to reducing potential thermal transfer and condensation.

5. Securing

Use quality shims to make minor fit adjustments and ensure that the window sits completely square and level within the frame. A level will allow you to confirm that the window corners are at a perfect 90-degree angle for proper function.

Once the window is perfectly positioned, use pilot holes and screws to secure the window into the frame.

6. Insulation

Maximize the airtightness of your window by placing insulation around the frame. There are various insulation products on the market and if you are using a professional installer, they should help you analyze your needs and choose the best insulation for you.

7. Exterior Finishing

Caulking is used to create a watertight seal between the window frame and the exterior siding of your house. Proper caulking will flex with the expansion and contraction of the building. This is achieved by a joint which is neither so small that it lacks adhesion nor so thick that it lacks flexibility.

8. Interior Finishing

To create a clean, polished finished look, moldings or casings of your choice will be installed to cover the raw interior face of the window frame and window jamb.

9. Worksite Cleanup

If you decided to DIY, cleanup is on you, however, if you hired an installer you should expect them to fully clean up the jobsite including removing your old window.

10. Inspection and Approval

Once the installation and cleanup are complete, your installer should review the finished product with you to ensure you are satisfied with the quality of the work and that you have all the information on proper usage and applicable warranties.

By following these 10 essentials steps you can look forward to a proper window installation which maximizes thermal retention, minimizes potential moisture infiltration, and looks fantastic for years to come.

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https://chicagowindowguy.com/home-tips/10-essential-steps-for-a-proper-window-installation/