As the days get colder and the Colorado winter approaches, every home and business owner wants to know how to save the maximum amount of energy possible. Preventing heat from escaping helps save on the energy bill as well as increase environmental consciousness, so why not start with improving the most obvious way for heat to escape – through doors? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, doors that are improperly installed, lack insulation or proper sealing,] or are not replaced after a long period of time contribute to energy waste. Take a look at these four ways to improve the energy efficiency of your Colorado home or office by replacing or reinforcing your doors.
1. Glass or patio doors are your chance to save heat that is often lost.
Glass doors lose heat much more easily than others in the home or building because glass does not insulate very well. Purchasing a glass door with a low-emissivity coating, a type of insulating glaze that reduces heat loss, is a worthwhile investment. Although these doors typically cost 10-15% more than regular glass doors, they reduce the amount of energy lost by 30-50%. Gas fills work in the same way, filling the spaces in between glass panes with an inert gas that serves as an insulator.
2. Weatherstripping is worth the effort.
Many doors, especially in older buildings or if the door was not installed properly, eventually develop spaces between the door and the frame, which create drafts and release heat, causing the building to lose energy. Weatherstripping is the process of sealing the air leaks created by the passage of time or improper installation. Many homeowners can complete this process easily on their own. Most use caulk, but other materials such as felt, reinforced foam, or tape can also be used. Weatherstripping ensures that doorways are properly sealed off from drafts.
3. Installation matters just as much as the type of door.
If doors are improperly installed, they can leave spaces for air to get through and heat to be lost. It is important to have your building audited after a certain period of time in order to make sure that such installation is not having an adverse effect on your energy bill!
4. Storm doors are an easy, energy-saving alternative to replacing your old doors.
If your door has not been replaced in a while, but is otherwise in good condition, consider adding a storm door over it to achieve the same energy-saving effect without replacing the door. A storm door is a metal, wood, or fiberglass frame placed over your original door that insulates and protects the door from extreme weather.
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