“Small tweaks” to doors and windows can make a home more energy-efficient.
Release Date:
2017-11-20
Author:
ZMRJ
Orientation, large floor-to-ceiling windows—when it comes to homes that have already settled into a fixed layout and can’t undergo major structural changes, what “tricks” can help turn their energy‑inefficient status around? In fact, with a few simple tweaks during renovation, your home can move into the ranks of relatively energy‑efficient dwellings. Trick #1: Install Weatherstripping on Doors and Windows Some doors and windows, due to poor manufacturing or substandard installation, develop gaps that let drafts in during cold weather, trap heat in summer, and offer inadequate sound insulation. We recommend fitting your doors and windows with weatherstripping—a solution that’s easy to install, inexpensive, and highly effective at saving energy. Even if your home…
Orientation, floor-to-ceiling windows—when it comes to homes that have already settled into a fixed layout and can’t undergo major structural changes, what “tricks” can help address their energy‑inefficient profile? In fact, with a few thoughtful tweaks during renovation, your home can move into the ranks of relatively energy‑efficient dwellings.
Tip 1: Install weatherstripping on doors and windows.
Some doors and windows, due to poor manufacturing and installation, have gaps that fail to seal properly—letting in drafts in winter, feeling stuffy in summer, and offering inadequate sound insulation. We recommend installing weatherstripping on your doors and windows. This type of sealing strip is easy to install, inexpensive, and delivers noticeable results, helping you save energy.
Even if your home is equipped with weatherstripping, you should inspect it at the change of seasons. When there’s a breeze, run your hand along the seams to check for gaps; if you can feel air blowing through, the weatherstripping must be replaced promptly.
Tip #2: Add an “insulation layer” to your balcony door.
To make indoor spaces feel more spacious, many households remove the balcony door during renovations or simply enclose the balcony entirely, opting not to install a balcony door at all.
This approach is unwise. According to reports, since most balconies are cantilevered, their energy‑saving performance is significantly weaker than that of ordinary walls. Without a balcony door, this weak point can lead to increased heating or cooling energy consumption for the entire home.
Experts recommend that, during renovations, you not only retain the balcony door but also consider adding an insulation layer around the balcony or on the door itself, or replacing the glass with insulated double-glazed units when enclosing the balcony.
Tip #3: Apply aluminum foil to the top-floor roof.
Top-floor units or those at either end of a building typically suffer from the problem of being cold in winter and hot in summer.
When renovating, you can install certain “special features” to improve this situation.
For example, applying a low-emissivity material such as aluminum foil to the inner surface of the roof can reduce radiative heat exchange between the roof’s interior surface and the human body.
For example, apply an insulating mortar layer 20 to 30 millimeters thick on the interior side of the exterior wall, or coat the exterior surface with white or light-colored paint.
For example, a 100- to 150-millimeter-thick insulation layer is laid on the roof waterproofing membrane.
For example, plastic‑steel windows or insulated glass windows can be used to replace the original steel or wooden windows.
Tip #4: Install an “outdoor awning” on your windows.
Installing an awning outside the window and fitting curtains inside the room are both effective ways to reduce energy consumption during the summer.
According to reports, exterior shading can block the vast majority of solar radiation outside the window, delivering far superior performance compared to relying solely on curtains.
When renovating, you can also opt for “heat‑reflective” curtains—featuring a silver‑white synthetic metallic coating on the exterior and a patterned fabric on the interior. These heat‑reflective curtains are an excellent energy‑saving solution, effectively addressing the issue of excessive energy consumption caused by a home’s inherent lack of energy efficiency.
Tip #5: Plant some “creeping fig” at the base of the wall.
Climbing plants such as wall creeper and ivy can grow by scaling walls; climbing vines like grapevines, morning glories, coral vine, and snapdragon can ascend along trellises.
These plants thrive during the hot summer months, providing effective shade and absorbing solar heat. In winter, they shed their leaves, ensuring they do not obstruct buildings from receiving sunlight.
According to calculations, during the height of summer, houses with plants climbing their walls can see exterior surface temperatures drop by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius, and indoor air temperatures will also decrease accordingly.
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