subject: Exterior Doors And Energy Savings [print this page] Exterior doors are a main contributor to energy loss within a home. Although most homeowners are paying more attention to light bulbs and unplugging appliances, it is just as important, if not more so, to invest in doors that provide as much protection from the elements as possible. If an exterior door has improper installation, it can cause a significant amount of leakage over a short amount of time. In the winter, this means a loss of precious heat while in the summer it means the loss of cooled air.
The good news is that you can do something about this problem. Consider the following tips to help you to protect your home from energy loss.
- Select new doors. These doors should receive a rating as an Energy Star door. This rating allows you to know that the door, along with the jam, is going to help block out as much air loss as possible. Selecting new doors is the most costly solution to this problem, but for those who have doors older than 15 to 20 years (or more), it may be necessary to replace them.
- Repair damage. Patching a hole or the glass on an exterior door is not only a safety risk, it is also costing you considerable energy loss. Repairing the damage on most doors is possible. Replace broken glass pains. Ensure that the door hangs properly in the door jam. If there are holes in the door, determine if there is a solution to fixing them or if you need to replace them.
- Check the edges. Weather stripping should receive regular maintenance. This means keeping it clean and in proper working order. Check the stripping around the edges of the door, the doorframe and any windowpanes.
These simple steps can help you to save considerable money on your energy bills. Check out your exterior doors.
