There aren’t many things that can cause more issues in a Jamestown rental house than drafty doors and windows. Many times, older properties are burdened by leaking air and single-pane windows. All things considered, these will markedly bring down a home’s energy efficiency and make it tough to preserve a comfy temperature in the house. At the same time, state-of-the-art homes can also run into the problem of drafts if ever the windows and doors were positioned or secured insufficiently. All you need to do is a handful of basic upgrades in order to lower energy costs and raise tenant contentment.
Producing an energy-efficient rental home does not automatically suggest a thorough window and exterior door replacement. On the authority of the US Department of Energy (USDE), heat gain and loss because of leaky windows represent up to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. On the topic of improving efficiency, the best place to begin is sealing cracks, gaps, and replacing weather-stripping. You wouldn’t need to install new windows and doors. The existing ones can be improved this way. Other low-cost ways to increase the energy efficiency of your current windows include installing window treatments or solar film.
If, after doing these things, there is no great increase in efficiency or the window itself is old or damaged, the USDE says that adding storm windows over existing windows is a viable next-level option. Although storm windows cost significantly more than weather stripping, they are certainly less than a quarter of the cost of a whole-house replacement. At the same time, the increase in energy efficiency that storm windows give is close to what you can get from brand new windows, lowering utility bills and ensuring long-term comfort for tenants.
There are astute grounds to be made in order to spend money in a whole-house window replacement plan. You might have to spend more but new windows offer the highest return on your investment. The new technology in energy efficient windows has greatly increased the number of options for budget-conscious property owners. Today, customized window options exist for cold climates, hot climates, and everything in between. For example, choosing to install gas-filled windows with Low-E coatings can significantly reduce heat loss in cold weather, and for summer months you wouldn’t need to do much more because the very same coatings would also work to keep the heat out. New windows will also last a great deal longer than storm windows and the other options presented here. This means you’ll get to save on maintenance costs and repair costs.
With these many options, it’s best, to begin with, a detailed rental property evaluation to assess the condition of windows and doors. It is in this area that Real Property Management of the Triad can be of service. We go a thorough check of your property and determine what methods are best to improve energy efficiency. We then work closely with you to reduce your costs while ensuring that your Jamestown rental home remains comfortable, energy efficient, and attractive to all tenants– both current and future. Please contact us online or by phone at 336-355-6677 (Greensboro Office) or 336-777-7444 (Winston-Salem Office) for more information.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
