A leaky window is a minor sized opening in your window, involuntarily allowing outdoor air to travel indoors. Due to the unwanted flow of outdoor air entering your home, you may begin to notice a direct impact on your comfort and spendings. Aside from expensive energy bills, leaky windows can also affect your personal and home health. Read on to learn how leaky windows negatively impact indoor heating and get in touch with Maple Air for any assistance with your disrupted home heating.

Ineffective Heating
Your heating system is geared to provide you with effective and efficient indoor heating. When certain factors obstruct the performance of your system, comfort may be impacted by the external inconsistencies disturbing the performance of your house’s heating system. Your home’s heating system will begin to operate more than necessary due to room temperature fluctuations as a result of unwelcomed airflow. A leaky window disrupts the neutral temperature of your home, and in turn negatively impacts your heating system’s regular operation process as a consequence of the mixed signals it receives.
Hot and Cold Spots
You walk into your primary bedroom and notice that it is much colder than the rest of your home; this is a sign of hot and cold spots. Leaky windows cause a disbalance with the comfort of your indoor heating due to the unintended flow of outdoor air entering your space. Homeowners set their thermostat to their desired temperature and typically choose the “AUTO” function. Your heating system is designed to operate until it reaches your ideal temperature and then it will automatically shut off. When your home is a victim of hot and cold spots, your comfort will be inconsistent due to the room with leaky windows being unable to hold a set temperature.

Poor Air Quality
Aside from home comfort and costs being impacted, leaky windows impact indoor air quality as well. Having gaps in your windows allows air into your home. This air is filled with dust, dirt, and bacteria that may not be visible to the eye but will be detectable by your lungs. Overtime, buildup can occur that can cause your heating system to overwork itself, which may lead to system malfunctions in the long-run.

What to do if You Have Leaky Windows
Your first step is having your window leak repaired. Depending on how severe the problem is, the solution could be as simple as caulking and weatherstripping the window to something more serious such as replacing the window. Here’s how you can determine if you have a leaky window:

-     Check for signs of rot in the wooden frame around the window
-     Look for any physical warnings such as gaps or holes
-     Feel for any noticeable drafts
-     Purchase or rent a thermal camera to detect leaks

As soon as you pinpoint a leaky window, ensure to make a window leak repair your top priority. Maple Air Heating and Cooling, providing residential HVAC services across the Greater Toronto Area, is here to assist you with any of your heating needs this winter season. If you experience ineffective heating in your home, call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our certified HVAC contractors to inspect your home and provide you with a reliable heating solution.