When choosing a door, most people consider the appearance, style, and even the weight during the selection process. What often gets overlooked, however, is the energy efficiency of the door. An energy-efficient door can make your home noticeably more comfortable and can provide remarkable long-term financial benefits.
Today, we will outline some of the benefits of energy-efficient doors, along with tips for maximizing your home’s overall energy efficiency. With a few easy tweaks, you’ll be on your way to better-insulation, a decreased electric bill, and a much more efficient home. Let’s get started!
Energy-Efficient Doors in San Diego
Since San Diego’s climate is typically warm, energy-efficient doors are almost a no-brainer. Many older doors are probably not energy efficient, or will have lost their efficiency due to wear and tear. These inefficiencies (called “energy leakage”) can cause a variety of issues, some of which may be surprising. For example, an older and less efficient door may allow heat from outside to trickle in. No big deal, right? Well, the more hot air allowed to leak into your home, the harder your air-conditioning will need to work to maintain your preferred indoor temperature.
The result of this extra work by your A/C is a higher monthly power bill. This could even lead to a lower A/C unit lifespan in the long-term. So while you may think that you are saving money by keeping that older door around, you may actually be leaking energy and money!
The United States Department of Energy notes on their website, energy.gov, that weatherstripping will wear around the edges over time. With regular use and exposure to the elements, this wear and tear will decrease the overall efficiency of the door. If the door itself is old, the best way to maintain your home’s energy efficiency is a door replacement. We have a wide selection of energy-efficient doors at US Window & Door, and we offer professional door installation to San Diego residents.
As the efficiency of doors can change over time, it’s recommended to check the door and frame for signs of wear and tear regularly. While it’s wise to have a professional inspect your doors for energy leakage, here are some ways to check them yourself.
How to Determine If Your Doors are Energy Efficient
When deciding the best course of action for mitigating energy leakage, a good first step is determining the efficiency of your current door. One of the first steps of this process is to check the material that your door is constructed from.
♦ The material
The most traditional material for a door is wood. While wood doors do provide some insulation, they are not the most efficient material available today. Newer, more energy-efficient doors are constructed from steel or fiberglass, which provide superior insulation and prevent higher heat levels from entering your home. Don’t let their outward appearance fool you, though. While steel doors are somewhat easy to spot, many fiberglass doors are designed with wood patterns that appear very similar.
An easy way to distinguish between a fiberglass door and a wood door is by simply knocking on it. A genuine wooden door will have a distinct and crisp sound, while a fiberglass door will produce a slightly dampened sound. This is because fiberglass is filled with an insulated foam core. This differentiating factor is what makes fiberglass excel at energy efficiency!
♦ The label
Another way to determine the efficiency rating of your door is to check the product documentation for the door itself. Within the documentation should be an informational label from the NFRC (National Fenestration Ratings Council), which will detail how energy efficient the door actually is.
When examining the label, one area of particular importance for door installation San Diego, is the SHGC Factor. This is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and it indicates how well a door can resist outside heat while keeping your home’s internal temperature fresh and comfortable. In warmer climates such as San Diego, a low SHGC number (ranging between 0 and 1) is optimal.
For colder nights, you must also take into consideration the U-Factor. The U-Factor portion of the label indicates how well a door retains indoor heat without letting it escape. So you can see how these two ratings combined can give a clear picture of the overall energy efficiency of a door.
For further information, the Energy Star alliance lists criteria for acceptable NFRC label values based on climate.
If the documentation for the door does not contain an NFRC label, the door is likely older and not optimally energy-efficient.
♦ Insulated glass panes
Another factor to look for in an energy-efficient door is multiple panes of glass used in the glazing process. Standard glass is actually unfavorable when it comes to insulation. That’s why if you sit near a conventional glass window on a sunny day, you’ll quickly start to feel the heat beating down on you through the window. The exact same thing is true with glazed doors (doors that have glass cutouts in them).
Double or triple panes of insulated glass can significantly improve the overall energy efficiency of a door. You can usually tell if the glass in the door is double or triple-paned by the presence of spacers in-between the panes of glass.
Another quick test to see if your door has insulated glass panes is to hold a light up to the glass. If you see more than one reflection at different angles, that’s a sign that your door has multiple glass panes.
♦ The fit
One final indicator of a more energy-efficient door is the fit. Generally, an energy-efficient door will have a more secure fit within the opening of the frame. This creates less opportunity for outside air to seep in, while simultaneously keeping the indoor climate nice and moderate.
In addition, magnetic weatherstripping creates the tightest seal possible without tension causing damage to the door. The presence of this magnetic weatherstripping can be tested by using a magnet or even a metal screw. Magnetic stripping on a door frame typically provides a superior seal than the compression seal created by standard foam insulation.
Benefits of Energy-Efficient Doors
Besides greater indoor climate control, an increased lifespan for your AC unit, and lower monthly electric bills, there are even more advantages to energy-efficient doors. The benefits of well-insulated and energy-efficient doors have many positive effects on the home and the life of the occupants.
♦ Energy-efficient doors are green
It might seem obvious, but it is worth emphasizing that energy-efficient doors are beneficial to the planet. By better insulating your home, not only will you live more comfortably, but you will also use less energy and consume fewer resources. It’s a win-win for everyone!
♦ They also save you green
Energy-efficient doors are not only good for the planet but also excellent for your wallet. While you might be hesitant to invest in a door replacement initially, opting for energy efficiency now will save you more down the road.
In addition to the heating and cooling savings, San Diego energy-efficient doors may also earn you a tax credit. According to the IRS at the time of this post:
“…Qualified improvements include adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows and doors, and certain roofs.”
Check with your accountant or tax professional to determine whether you qualify for any tax credits.
♦ Energy-efficient doors may even relieve stress
Believe it or not, there is a possible link between a hot climate and stress/anxiety. A study published in the journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences shows a potential correlation between a hot climate and increased anxiety.
Tips for Improvement
These features and benefits are just what you’re looking for and you are ready to invest in improvements towards a more energy-efficient home. Go ahead, give yourself a pat on the back. Next, we’ll explore a couple of preparations you can do in the meantime while you wait for your new door installation.
♦ If you choose genuine wood, make it solid
Some people prefer wooden doors, while others may find it to be the most accessible material. Regardless of your reason, there are a few ways to increase the energy efficiency of a wooden door. The first is by making it more solid. This can be done by filling in any holes or gaps where air could pass through. Draft Excluder is a rubber or foam wedge which slides under the door and blocks air from passing through the gap between the door and the threshold. Other ways to solidify a wooden door for maximum energy efficiency include curtains for the window glazing and improved weatherstripping.
For the animal lovers reading along, keep in mind if your door includes a “doggy door” or pet-sized flap, it will also need proper insulation; as do mail slots.
♦ Clean out the dirt
You might actually be surprised how much dirt and debris can collect in the various nooks and crannies of a door. Over time, various particles can get lodged in just the right places to prevent suitable closure and allow airflow to pass through. Yes, a tiny speck of dirt can turn into big energy losses. Common places where dirt and debris like to hide are the door track, the hinges, and the doorposts (jambs).
While you’re cleaning these areas, take notice of any structural damage to the door, frame, and weatherstripping. Even minute pits and crevices are enough to lower the energy efficiency of the door drastically. This is a sign that it might be time for a door replacement.
♦ Look for signs of improper installation
Many consider an improperly installed door to simply be an eyesore – a trivial nuisance not worth correcting. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth. Even the most energy-efficient door on the market would still perform poorly if it’s not installed properly. Inadequate installation is a more common issue than you may first realize, and often goes unnoticed (and uncorrected), sometimes for years!
Signs of substandard installation include crooked or perpendicular siding to the frame, which will leave gaps of varying degrees. These gaps are unwelcome opportunities for air to enter and escape your home. Furthermore, a misaligned door will make proper insulation and stripping more difficult due to the uneven surface area.
Improve Your Home and Your Life
So as we have seen, an energy-efficient door stretches beyond entering and exiting your home. A professionally installed energy-efficient door will add monetary value to your home and a quality-of-life that is priceless.
If you’re looking for a seasoned, energy-efficient door replacement in San Diego, we’re here to help. We’ve been proudly serving San Diego and the surrounding communities for over 30 years, employing knowledgeable and qualified installers and friendly customer service agents ready to help you begin your window and door selection.
Simply put, we make it our business to ensure you get the most out of your home.
Whether it be your first inquiry with us or the decision to transition your home to an energy-efficient lifestyle, we look forward to serving you.
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