As winter approaches and temperatures begin to cool, your windows play an important role in keeping your home’s warmth where it belongs.
Air infiltration occurs when air penetrates a home through small spaces in the windows, doors, walls, floors, roofing and other areas. This air leakage, which takes place whenever there is a pressure difference between the inside and outside of a home, can lead to increased heating and cooling costs.
“Windows are the largest source of energy loss in most homes, so it’s essential to choose a window that provides a superior shield against air infiltration,” says Cliff Miller, general manager of Custom Windows by Beldon Home Solutions/LeafGuard Chicago.
The Air Leakage (AL) Rating makes it easy to compare one window to the next, and pertains to the air infiltration that occurs through the window unit itself, Miller says.
“It is expressed best as the equivalent cubic feet of air passing through a square foot of window area per minute,” he says. “For example, the sash meeting rails, sash perimeter and sill are typical areas where air leakage may occur.”
Poorly designed windows do not have the necessary barriers to block air from forcing its way in and can be a substantial source of energy loss in a home, he says. The lower the AL rating, the less air will pass through the window unit and the greater the energy savings and comfort.
Beldon Home Solutions windows, for example, deliver superior protection with an AL of only 0.04 cubic feet per minute (CFM), compared to the allowable air infiltration standard of 0.30 CFM set by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, Miller says.
“In simple terms, BHS energy efficient windows average 0.30 gallons of air leakage per minute, while the industry standard allows 2.25 gallons of air leakage per minute,” he says. Miller enjoys comparing this to a favorite drink — soda pop.
“BHS windows have been tested to .04 CFM of air leakage per minute,” he says. “This equals 0.30 gallons of air leakage per minute, which equates to 3.2 12-ounce cans of air leakage per minute.”
On the other hand, the industry standard allows air leakage of 24 12-ounce cans per minute.
“When you compare BHS windows to other residential windows, you’ll see why it’s an excellent choice to protect your home from energy loss — not only in winter, but year-round,” Miller says.
BHS windows offer a variety of energy efficient double- and triple-pane insulated glass options that can help lower a homeowner’s fuel bills. Rates vary by size and model.
For more information on choosing the best glass package for your home and the region’s climate zone, call Beldon Home Solutions/LeafGuard Chicago at 708-377-5339, or visit beldonchicago.com for more information. Custom Windows by Beldon Home Solutions/LeafGuard Chicago is located at 161 Tower Drive, Unit H, Burr Ridge.
