Energy Usage, Conservation and Weather Stripping - Did I get ripped off on my new windows? (so cold)
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luckydriver
11-24-08, 07:59 AM
3 years ago I got 1/2 house of new windows. I forget all the details but know i paid extra for better insulated ones. I have a 13ft x 5ft one in my living room. The other day a friend told me she felt a draft. Now I know i DO have leakage under the windows and need to pull off the wood (other thread about that) and insulated under that.
My question is, if i put the thermometer right up against the window should i be getting such readings (outside temp about 30)
58-60 degrees right against the window
65 degrees 3 ft away on a sofa arm in direct site of the window but above the sill.
The floor was also 65 so if the air was from the uninsulated sill, wouldnt the floor be freezing too? And could the humidity be higher right near the window since i have standing water in the crawlspace and it's easier for the water to soak up thru the walls? At one point the humidity was 5% higher on the sill.
I guess the short question is with that much glass is cold transference inevitable? or is just the cold from the uninsulated sill causing the 'draft'.
I did have an energy audit done and under the sill was leaking but the window appeared fine.
Also in my bedroom i put the thermometer on the one window and it was the same thing..about 58. Brr
My question is, if i put the thermometer right up against the window should i be getting such readings (outside temp about 30)
58-60 degrees right against the window
65 degrees 3 ft away on a sofa arm in direct site of the window but above the sill.
The floor was also 65 so if the air was from the uninsulated sill, wouldnt the floor be freezing too? And could the humidity be higher right near the window since i have standing water in the crawlspace and it's easier for the water to soak up thru the walls? At one point the humidity was 5% higher on the sill.
I guess the short question is with that much glass is cold transference inevitable? or is just the cold from the uninsulated sill causing the 'draft'.
I did have an energy audit done and under the sill was leaking but the window appeared fine.
Also in my bedroom i put the thermometer on the one window and it was the same thing..about 58. Brr
Gunguy45
11-24-08, 08:10 AM
Without knowing details on the windows...how about doing a comparison to your old windows?
And yes, that big open area under the sill can make a big difference.
And yes, that big open area under the sill can make a big difference.
luckydriver
11-24-08, 08:28 AM
oh i should have stated the 13ft window is the new one and the bedroom is an older one. My guess was put in during the 80s based on the construction.
But now you make me want to go put the thermometer in the 2nd bedroom with the original aluminum windows. Great idea!
But now you make me want to go put the thermometer in the 2nd bedroom with the original aluminum windows. Great idea!
robertrobillard
12-19-08, 03:27 PM
Lucky,
All glass is cold. You have 65 sdq feet of glass thats alot....
Is the window double insulated?
Does it have a storm?
Is the wall insulated?
Have you pulled the casings off and insulated around the window with minimal expanding foam?
Is there a radiator on this outside wall?
All of these have an impact on your feeling cold at these windows.
All glass is cold. You have 65 sdq feet of glass thats alot....
Is the window double insulated?
Does it have a storm?
Is the wall insulated?
Have you pulled the casings off and insulated around the window with minimal expanding foam?
Is there a radiator on this outside wall?
All of these have an impact on your feeling cold at these windows.
Bud9051
12-19-08, 06:50 PM
"At one point the humidity was 5% higher on the sill."
That's as it should be. The % humidity is relative to the temperature. The air within your house will give different humidity readings at different temps.
When you feel cold, what you are actually feeling is heat moving away. Within your house, radiant heat is in somewhat of a balance. You radiate heat away from your skin, but receive heat back from everything around you. EXCEPT when you stand in front of a window. The radiant heat leaves your body and passes through the window and is gone. Since there is nothing out there warm enough to radiate back to you, you feel cold. Yes you should deal with those air leaks, but even the better windows do a poor job of insulating, so you will still pay a price for having all of that glass.
The solution is one of many inside window treatments. thermal drapes, insulating shades, window quilts, or some temporary coverings that you put up at night and take down during the day. If you can get your hands on 14 feet by 6 feet of house wrap, hang it in front of the window and see if you feel a difference. House wrap has a radiant barrier built in, at least that's what it says on the wrap. I bet it will feel better.
HH
Bud
That's as it should be. The % humidity is relative to the temperature. The air within your house will give different humidity readings at different temps.
When you feel cold, what you are actually feeling is heat moving away. Within your house, radiant heat is in somewhat of a balance. You radiate heat away from your skin, but receive heat back from everything around you. EXCEPT when you stand in front of a window. The radiant heat leaves your body and passes through the window and is gone. Since there is nothing out there warm enough to radiate back to you, you feel cold. Yes you should deal with those air leaks, but even the better windows do a poor job of insulating, so you will still pay a price for having all of that glass.
The solution is one of many inside window treatments. thermal drapes, insulating shades, window quilts, or some temporary coverings that you put up at night and take down during the day. If you can get your hands on 14 feet by 6 feet of house wrap, hang it in front of the window and see if you feel a difference. House wrap has a radiant barrier built in, at least that's what it says on the wrap. I bet it will feel better.
HH
Bud
luckydriver
12-23-08, 07:12 AM
Well i'm happy to report that ripping off the bottom sills and foaming up the windows helped alot. Except the 2 that were 13 ft and about 8ft, I was scared would have trouble getting them back on so just pried them out a bit and stuck the nozzle up there. anyone sitting on the sofa in front of that 13ft window has noticed MUCH less of a breeze now. Of course with 10 degrees outside even i feel a bit cold now but it's not the wind tunnel it used to be. I'm amazed by how big some of the openings were under the windows. I also clear caulked around some of my doors. Unfortunately i need to get weatherstripping in the frames too..but that makes them difficult to close then.
I now understand why there's higher humidity near the windows. I was just going hog wild with the RH gauge and my new dehumidifier lol. Which by the way works wonderfully. During the snow this weekend i plugged in the santa fe compact and got from 60 to 55% in less than a day. For a big house like mine thats a good deal!
oh and to answer the questions above: the walls arent insulated, the window is a double low e or whatever (paid extra for it) and there's a 17ft baseboard right under the window
Also now i have a brand new boiler (see other thread for pics) and with the tekmar 260 controlling the water temp, i have a much steadier heat and it feels more confortable with the new 67 vs the old 67 degrees. hard to explain but it's true!
I now understand why there's higher humidity near the windows. I was just going hog wild with the RH gauge and my new dehumidifier lol. Which by the way works wonderfully. During the snow this weekend i plugged in the santa fe compact and got from 60 to 55% in less than a day. For a big house like mine thats a good deal!
oh and to answer the questions above: the walls arent insulated, the window is a double low e or whatever (paid extra for it) and there's a 17ft baseboard right under the window
Also now i have a brand new boiler (see other thread for pics) and with the tekmar 260 controlling the water temp, i have a much steadier heat and it feels more confortable with the new 67 vs the old 67 degrees. hard to explain but it's true!