B1. Install Storm Windows
Description
A large amount of heat can be lost through single-pane windows in the winter, resulting in energy waste. A simple solution is to install storm windows. Note: If the primary windows are in need of replacement, then energy-efficient replacement windows should be considered as an alternative to storm windows.
The purpose of storm windows is to save energy and to increase comfort. Storm windows save energy in two ways. First, they reduce air leakage through spaces around the window. Second, they reduce heat conduction through the window by creating an insulating air space between them and the primary window. In addition to saving on heating costs in the winter, storm windows can save on cooling costs in the summer.
Beyond saving energy, storm windows enhance the comfort of the residents, lower maintenance costs on existing windows, and reduce the amount of outside noise and pollutants that enter the dwelling unit.
Applicability
- Single-family and multifamily buildings with single-pane windows
- Buildings without storm windows
Types
- Interior installed
- Exterior installed
- Glass
- Plastic
- Fixed
- Operable
- Single-pane
- Double-pane
Considerations
- Some windows (e.g., casements) cannot readily be equipped with storm windows.
Performance/Economics
- Storm windows can save up to 10 percent on heating costs.
- The cost-effectiveness of this measure depends on the quality of the existing windows, the cost and type of storm window, current energy costs, and climate.
- This ECM is most cost-effective in cold climates.
Resources/Links
Energy Conservation for Housing – A Workbook, HUD, September 1998. Pages 7-9 through 7-12 address energy saving storm windows.
Storm Windows. Part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Consumer's Guide.
Improving Energy Efficiency in Apartment Buildings, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 1995. ISBN 0-918249-23-6. Pages 90 through 95 address window energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR® Windows. A partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy and manufacturers of windows, doors, and skylights. Addresses energy-efficient windows, applications, and more.
Efficient Windows Collaborative. Addresses windows and efficiency.
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TURN OFF UTILITIES: Turn off electricity, gas, propane, and other utilities before starting repairs, cleaning, or installations to avoid accident or injury. BE AWARE OF LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARDS: Many residences built before 1978 have paint that contains lead, which can pose a serious health hazard if paint, chips, and dust are not handled properly. See the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead brief before disturbing painted surfaces in homes of this vintage. Follow the HUD "Lead-Safe Housing Rule" for requirements for notification, evaluation and reduction of lead-based paint hazards. BE AWARE OF ASBESTOS HAZARDS: Homes older than 1977 may have building products that contain asbestos such as insulation, high-temperature gaskets, roofing and siding shingles, and vinyl sheet flooring. See the EPA asbestos brief before disturbing such materials. BE AWARE OF MOLD AND MOISTURE HAZARDS: Molds can gradually destroy materials they grow on; can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people; can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold; and can cause other serious health problems. To learn more about preventing and cleaning up mold in homes, see these mold guides and the EPA brief on What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas. |