Top FAQs About Windows and HVAC Efficiency

Did you know your windows can greatly impact your energy bills? If you’re installing new windows in your home, it’s important to choose those that promote HVAC efficiency. Read on to learn more about how to choose windows for your Dalton, Georgia, home.

How Does the Placement of Windows Affect HVAC Efficiency?

If you’re building a new home, it’s important to consider where to place the windows. The goal is to place the windows so that they promote solar heat gain during the cooler months and minimize this gain during the cooler months. In doing so, the HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to heat and cool the home. This results in:

• Less wear and tear on the system
• Fewer HVAC repair bills
• Longer system lifespan
• Lower heating and cooling expenses

The top factor to consider when determining the proper placement of windows is your region’s climate. In Georgia, you can expect to use your air conditioner more than the furnace, meaning you live in a cooling-dominated climate. Because of this, it’s best to have more north-facing than south-facing windows. On the south-facing windows you’ve installed, keep them shaded during the warmer months to lower your cooling costs. During the winter, open the shades, as these windows will collect solar heat to keep your interior warm.

Do I Need New Windows to Improve HVAC Efficiency?

You’re likely to save money on your heating and cooling bills with new windows. However, that all depends on the type of windows you currently have in your home. In homes with single-paned glass windows that have wood frames, it’s always best to upgrade. Installing new energy-efficient windows makes it easier to cool the home in the warmer months and heat the home during the cooler parts of the year. This enhances the HVAC system’s energy efficiency and reduces heating and cooling bills.

Will New Windows Always Improve HVAC Efficiency?

No, replacing your old windows with new ones doesn’t necessarily guarantee improved HVAC efficiency. Why? Because windows are often the least of your concerns when it comes to air leaks. If the home has air leaks, it doesn’t matter if you upgrade to the most energy-efficient windows on the market. The HVAC system will still have to work in overtime mode to heat and cool your home.

As conditioned air leaks out of cracks and holes in the home, an equal amount of air comes back inside. This causes imbalances between positive and negative pressure within the home. These imbalances always start out at the top of the home and not at the bottom nor at the sides. Attics are often the primary culprit of air leaks.

Having the attic and any crawl spaces inspected for air leaks is key to achieving optimal HVAC energy efficiency. After you have these air leaks repaired, your windows can function as they should to promote HVAC efficiency. As a result, they’ll help lower your heating and cooling bills.

Does Opening the Windows Impact HVAC Efficiency?

When you have an HVAC system installed in your home, the HVAC contractor will calculate the load necessary for the unit to operate according to maximum energy efficiency. This ensures the home is heated and cooled both effectively and efficiently. When you open windows, this is great for circulating air and improving indoor air quality. But it also increases the load of the HVAC system. As a result, the system must work harder than normal to maintain your preferred temperature. The same thing happens when you have an incorrectly sized HVAC system.

If you’re going to open your windows, shut off the HVAC system. You can turn it back on once you close the windows. This protects the HVAC system from overheating. It also reduces unnecessary wear and tear.

Dalton Heating & Air specializes in a variety of HVAC installation and repair services. Contact us today at 706-619-2799 to learn more about the different ways your windows impact HVAC efficiency.

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