Designing a beautiful home is just half of the challenge when building a house from the ground up or renovating an existing property. Creating spaces that are equally stunning, purposeful, and efficient is easier said than done.
When it comes to performance and energy efficiency, it’s important to think beyond the insulation, roofing material, and siding – windows and doors also make an impact on how comfortable it is inside a home.
3 Benefits of Energy Efficient Homes
Creating an energy efficient home is critical when it comes to delivering a comfortable, quiet, and peaceful space. To review the advantages of energy efficient homes, here are 3 benefits:
- Enjoy a more comfortable home year-round. Imagine a home that’s not too hot and not too cold – regardless of what the weather looks like outside. An energy efficient home can deliver ideal comfort 365 days a year and create a quieter environment.
- Successfully reduce utility costs. If you’re able to use your heating and cooling systems efficiently (meaning you don’t have to run them as often each day), staying comfortable will cost less.
- Create a smaller environmental footprint. When your appliances, heating and cooling systems, and electricity are operating efficiently, you consume less energy. Consuming less energy means you’re emitting fewer greenhouse gasses, reducing your environmental impact.
Most homeowners prefer their home be as efficient as possible but there are multiple elements that go into making their preference a reality.
Exterior Doors and Energy Efficiency
A home’s entry way and exterior door can influence how efficient the residence is. Although exterior doors are opened and closed frequently, they could also be letting cool air out even when they’re closed. Doors that are improperly sealed can leak air, causing energy waste that can drive up your utility bill. This is especially true for old, worn, uninsulated, and improperly sealed doors.
The best way to reduce the amount of air that leaks through exterior doors is to replace them. Upgrading entry doors is a simple way to strengthen the building envelope and improve the efficiency of the entire home.
What To Consider When Choosing New Exterior Doors
Choosing the right exterior door for your project is important – both aesthetically and for performance. When it comes to entry way doors, certain operating types perform better than others. Swinging doors, for example, are more efficient than sliding doors. Here are some additional things to keep in mind when improving the energy efficiency of your home:
- Energy ratings: there are various ratings used to quantify the efficiency of an exterior door. A U-Factor refers to the amount of energy transferred (ideally a low number) while the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is a ratio that highlights the amount of solar energy that can pass through the door. Another rating to keep in mind is the R-Value. An R-Value indicates how resistant the product is to energy transfer. The higher the number, the better.
- Weather stripping: this is the protective material around your door and frame to protect against energy loss. By investing in high-quality weather stripping and applying it correctly, you can maximize the effect.
- Composition: the material your door is made from can impact how efficient it is. For example, fiberglass and steel exterior doors are more energy efficient than vinyl and wood doors. However, each door material offers different benefits, styles, and maintenance.
- Choose ENERGY STAR: the ENERGY STAR® logo ensures additional peace of mind when it comes to energy efficiency. JELD-WEN is a long-time partner with ENERGY STAR®, meeting strict criteria for efficiency and performance.
Create a Comfortable Home with JELD-WEN
Finding the right exterior doors for your project doesn’t have to be complicated. JELD-WEN is proud to offer a comprehensive selection of exterior doors, as well as interior doors, that deliver on efficiency, style, and performance. Browse our entire exterior door collection here to find the right design that meets your needs and helps you create a more energy efficient home.
