Windows serve a lot of important purposes in your home... natural light, fresh air flow, fire escape, etc. They can also cause a few issues that are less beneficial like temperature fluctuation. Royal Heating and Air cares about you and your family, and we work hard to make sure your HVAC system is working the way it should so your home is as safe and comfortable as possible. Keep reading to learn how windows affect the comfort and safety of your home, and how to make the most of your windows!
Natural Light
One of the biggest benefits of having a lot of windows in your home is how much beautiful natural light they let in. Natural light has been shown to be better for you than artificial light (incandescent, fluorescent, etc.) It can actually help boost your mood. That's why a lot of people tend to feel more sadness in the winter when there's very little sunlight. It's actually called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Open up the curtains in the morning to let sunlight into your house and make the most of the mental health benefits of natural light.
Fresh Air Flow
Being able to open up the house is another huge plus to windows. (Read all about the pros and cons of opening up the house in our blog post "It's So Nice Out! Should I Open My Windows?") When the air in your house gets stale, you can open up all the windows and let the cross-breeze freshen up the house. Or, if you leave the pan on the stovetop a little too long, you can crack a window to get the smoke out. Opening windows in the spring and fall months can actually be a great benefit to your home's indoor air quality and energy savings if you do it right.
Safety Concerns - Good & Bad
Another important aspect of windows is their level of safety. Most of the time, in order to be counted as a bedroom in a floorplan, a room MUST have at least one window. This is a safety precaution in case there is a fire - The occupant of that bedroom needs to have a way to escape. Windows can also add a little bit of a safety concern. If you forget to lock them, they are an easy way for intruders to get into your house. It's also easier for intruders to break a window than it is to break down a door. Installing a good home security system with alarms and/or cameras can help give you the peace of mind you need.
Temperature Fluctuation
One con to windows is that they can tend to "leak" temperature. That's why sitting next to a window feels so cold in the winter and so hot in the summer. If you don't have energy efficient windows, then they are likely allowing the air inside your home to escape. This causes your thermostat to kick in more often and costs you more energy. If you can't get energy efficient windows right away, it's important to at least make sure the seals on your windows are in good condition. A bad seal can leak a lot of air and make it harder for your HVAC to keep the house at the right temperature.
Your Home Comfort
At Royal Heating and Air, we are passionate about making sure your home is comfortable year-round! Give us a call to schedule a Home Comfort Check and one of our experienced technicians will come out to your house and make sure your HVAC system is running efficiently. We can also help with whole home humidifiers, HVAC UV light systems, programmable thermostats, and more. We can't wait to serve you!
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