The Window Source Removing Window Screens Could Improve Your Electricity Bill This Winter New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine
How often do you think about your window screens? Do you clean them twice a year or take them down during the winter? Most people don’t, but they should! Leaving screens on your windows in the winter can have an impact on your heating bill. Additionally, the extra exposure to the elements affects their appearance and function.
Screens are meant to prevent bugs or critters from entering your home when you open your windows to let in fresh air. During the winter, snow can be caught between the screen and window causing damage to your window frames, sills and screens. Since windows are locked up tight anyways, we can remove screens and allow up to 30 or 40 percent more sunlight to enter in through our windows. If you want to harness those solar gains, which is especially important if you have yet to upgrade to energy efficient windows, you can open up your window treatments on south facing windows to let in maximum light and heat into your home.
Removing the screens is a great time to inspect your windows, sills, casings, and screens and get them cleaned up and ready for storage. Use very soft materials and light pressure to clean your screens so that you do not damage them. Here are some simple cleaning and storing instructions to get your screens ready:
- Vacuum screens using a softbrush attachment on the handheld nozzle.
- Use a softbrush or sponge to gently scrub them with a solution made out of a few drops of dish soap in a bucket of water.
- Rinse the screens with a hose then wipe them down on both sides with a soft cloth
- Allow screens to dry
- Use masking tape and a permanent marker to label each screen and its corresponding window.
- Store screens in a dry place where they are not going to get damaged such as a utility room or basement.
Want to find more ways to save on your electric bill this winter? Check out our articles on energy efficient window treatments, the components of energy efficient windows, and why we love energy efficient windows.
