How Air Leakage Affects Window Efficiency and What to Do About It

Feeling a draft around your windows or noticing wild temperature swings in your home? You may have window air leakage problems. Air leakage refers to air passing through small openings and gaps in and around the window assembly, but no matter how small these gaps can be, they can severely impact your comfort and energy costs.

If you want an exact measurement of the amount of air leakage inside your home, hiring a professional who will conduct an energy assessment would be the way to go. You will get a complete energy assessment and figure out where you need more insulation and additional work.

At the same time, a DIY approach could also work.

Common Causes of Window Air Leakage

Window leakage often points towards window inefficiency or structural issues around the windows. Before you can actually fix the issue, you need to locate the exact source of air leaks.

Structural Damage

Older windows that have structural damage are often the main cause. Just like any other part of your home, windows, too, can degrade over time and increase the risk of air leakage. Luckily, there are steps you can take if you’re looking at improving window efficiency. One of the first potential solutions is window insulation film, which can improve thermal insulation. This,

in turn, provides additional comfort benefits, reduces energy bills, and can help with your air leak problem. It’s also worth noting that compared to a full replacement of windows, window insulation film solutions are a much cheaper and easier-to-install option.

However, before applying window film you should ensure the windows are structurally sound to avoid exacerbating any existing damage.

Broken Window Seal

Broken window seals are also a common culprit of cold air leaking inside a home. Seals are usually made out of rubber, and they’re used for holding the air between multiple panes of glass. Faulty seals lead to not just air leaking inside of the home, but can increase window condensation and water damage in and around windows.

Bad Installation

If the windows were not installed properly, they’re bound to leak. What makes it worse is that both professionals and DIY enthusiasts can fail when it comes to window installation, leading to varying levels of air leakage. Applying additional caulking or expansive foam around the gaps could help, though if the job is particularly poor, it will need to be redone.

How to Identify Signs of Air Leakage

You can spot most of the leak spots with a few easy DIY tests before calling in a professional.

DIY Approach

• Feel for draft: Run your hand around window edges, paying special attention to corners, joints, and where the sash meets the frame. If you feel air movement, there might be a leak.
• Candle or incense: Light a candle or incense and hold it near a window. If you see the flame flicker or the smoke move horizontally, the air is entering your home through the cracks.
• Visible gaps: Visually check the windows for gaps; at night, it’s easy to check if there is light seeping in through the edges of the windows.
• Look for condensation: Moisture buildup often points to a broken window seal, which means you may have poor insulation.

Professional Approach

• Blower door test: Professionals use special fans to depressurize a home, which helps in pinpointing air leakage spots.
• Infrared thermal scan: A heat-sensitive camera is used to visually show temperature differences, pointing to air leaks and weak insulation.

Maintaining Window Efficiency Year-Round

Keeping windows energy efficient is not a one-time task. Properly maintaining windows extends their lifespan and prevents new air leaks from occurring. Below is a non-exhaustive checklist of things you should check to ensure you and your home are air-leak proof.

• Inspect seals and caulking: Sealant could wither over time and lose adhesive properties. Check window frames and joints at least annually and reapply caulk if needed.
• Replace worn weatherstripping: Repeated use of operable sashes flattens weatherstripping over time. Replacing it will ensure that windows close properly, providing optimal insulation.
• Clean tracks and frames: Make it a habit to clean the tracks, hinges, and frames at least twice a year as dirt, debris, and dust can prevent windows from sealing properly.
• Inspect window film: If you’ve applied insulating or solar control films, check if there are tears or air bubbles. Replace damaged film to maintain its efficiency.
• Monitor for condensation and drafts: If you feel a draft near windows, then it's time to take some action. The same goes for condensation and fog forming around windows.

Conclusion

Looking at how air leakage affects window efficiency, it is clear that the problems go beyond heat loss during the winter months. Luckily, if you identify and seal air leaks (either DIY or with the help of professionals), you can improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home. Consistency is key; therefore, you need to inspect windows frequently, plug new air leaks, and support your windows with insulating window films.

Discover Solar Screen’s energy-saving window film solutions and start creating a more efficient, comfortable environment today.