Let the beginning of spring cleaning commence! As Spring arrives, it’s time to go through and get rid of things we no longer need and take care of any necessary home repairs or renovations. This season is also an ideal time to focus on reducing your energy bills and work on home maintenance.

In many older homes, replacing windows can be a pricey solution; however, it can prove to be cost-effective in the long run. That’s because the new windows will gradually pay for themselves by reducing heating and cooling expenses. When selecting energy-efficient windows, look at the label to learn about the energy performance rating of that specific brand. 

Caulking and weatherstripping can be easy to tackle as a weekend project. Use caulk for stationary cracks, gaps, or joints less than one-quarter-inch wide. Weatherstripping should be used on components that are moveable, such as doors and operable windows.

Window treatments and coverings such as awnings, blinds, and draperies can help decorate your home while providing energy savings. While ineffective at reducing air leakage or infiltration, it’s often cheaper than replacing windows while reducing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. 

To learn more about a window’s energy performance rating and understand it’s potential for gaining and losing heat, click here.