Have you ever found your energy bill was much higher than you expected? Or that it is significantly increasing with each bill? There are many reasons why your energy bill fluctuates, and of course the more you use your heating or cooling systems, the higher your bill. However, if your bills are higher than normal, it is very likely your air conditioning unit is working overtime. The common culprit? Poor insulation and air leaks throughout the home.Learn how proper insulation and sealing air leaks can keep your home more comfortable all year round.
Air Sealing
Most homes experience some form of air leakage, which is where outside air enters your home and conditioned air exits your home. These air leaks cause your heating and cooling system to work much harder in order to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, which in turn spikes your energy bill. Reducing or eliminating air leaks means your home will maintain a consistent temperature, saving you money in the process. Air typically leaks through:
- Unsealed or poorly sealed doors and windows
- Poorly designed airlocks
- Unsealed vents, skylights and exhaust fans
- Gaps in or around ceiling insulation and around ceiling penetrations
- Gaps around wall penetrations (pipes, conduits, power outlets, switches, air conditioners and heaters)
- Gaps between envelope element junctions (e.g. floor−wall or wall−ceiling)
- Poorly fitted or shrunken floorboards
For poorly sealed windows, oftentimes replacing the window is your best and most cost-effective option. At Greenawalt Roofing, we can review all the options and styles to help you make the best choice for your home. We recommend and install MI windows and doors which are manufactured in the United States and backed by a Limited Lifetime Customer Assurance Warranty.
How to fix air leaks
Caulking and weather-stripping are two of the more common ways to fix air leaks. Weather-stripping is the process of sealing the openings around doors and windows to prevent air from entering and escaping. This includes any material that helps block air flow such as foam, vinyl, felt and tape. Caulk is a multipurpose material that seals air leaks created by gaps, cracks and joints. It is ideal for sealing cracks less than 1-quarter-inch wide. Or, if air leakage is primarily coming from your window, it might be time to get them replaced.
Insulation
Insulation stops the transfer of heat; in winter it stops cold air from outside penetrating inside, and vice versa during summer. Properly installed and efficient insulation is the staple of an energy efficient home.
Contact Greenawalt Roofing Company today for a FREE estimate on getting your windows replaced!
What Central Pennsylvania property owners should consider
How improving your window and door insulation will lower your energy bills is best understood in the context of the whole property, not from one symptom alone. The age of the materials, previous repairs, water-management details, installation methods, and nearby exterior components can all affect what is visible. Central Pennsylvania’s mix of heavy rain, wind, summer heat, falling leaves, freeze-thaw cycles, and winter weather can also make the same concern look different from one home or building to another.
Start with observations that can be made safely. Avoid climbing onto the roof or disturbing damaged materials. Instead, note when the concern appeared, whether it changes during particular weather, and whether it is isolated or occurring in several areas. Photographs taken from a safe location and notes about prior work can help a professional understand the history without relying on memory alone.
Details worth documenting
- visible deterioration that may extend beyond the unit itself
- interior and exterior access needed for a complete evaluation
- drafts, condensation, staining, or changes around the opening
- the age and condition of nearby roofing, siding, trim, and flashing
- how the room is used and what comfort or daylight goal matters most
These details do not replace an on-site evaluation, but they make the conversation more useful. They also help separate a maintenance item from a repair need or a larger project. A clear evaluation should explain the observed condition, the likely scope, the surrounding components that were checked, and any assumptions that could affect the recommendation.
Questions to ask before authorizing work
- What maintenance will the selected product require?
- How will the opening be protected during installation?
- Is the issue with the unit, the installation, or surrounding materials?
- How will flashing and water management be handled?
- What interior and exterior finishes are included?
- Will the work affect roofing, siding, trim, or insulation?
Ask for the proposed work in writing and compare scopes rather than price alone. Materials, labor, disposal, cleanup, ventilation, flashing, permits, warranties, and possible concealed conditions should be easy to identify. If alternatives are available, the practical differences should be explained in plain language so the decision reflects the property’s needs and the owner’s priorities.
Greenawalt Roofing serves homeowners across Central Pennsylvania. Learn about residential exterior services, review what happens during a Full Exterior Exam, browse the company’s service areas, or request a free estimate.
