Do storm windows help in the summer? Yes, if you cool your home with air conditioning. Storm windows in summer act as an extra layer of insulation that keeps cooled air in and hot air out. If you rely on open windows and breezes instead, you are better off taking them down in spring.
Why Storm Windows in Summer Can Make Sense
Anyone who has lived through a few Connecticut seasons knows the twice-yearly ritual. When fall turns cold, the storm windows go up. At the first sign of spring they come down so fresh air can get in.
The logic seems obvious: storm windows provide insulation, and insulation is for winter. Nobody wears a parka in July. But insulation works in both directions. It slows heat moving out of the house in winter, and it slows heat moving in during summer. That matters a lot if you run central air or even a window air conditioner.
It Depends on How You Cool Your Home
If you use fans and open windows
If you count on fans, shade and cross breezes to get through the dog days, stick with the usual routine and take your storm windows off in spring. Without air conditioning, moving fresh air through the house is the easiest way to stay cool, and storm panels get in the way of that.
If you have air conditioning
With air conditioning, storm windows work as another layer between your cooled rooms and the heat outside. Your system does not have to run as hard, which means lower electric bills at the time of year they tend to be highest.
In short, if you have AC and keep the windows closed anyway, leave the storm windows up all year.
What About Storm Doors?
What is true of storm windows is true of storm doors. Opening the front door and letting a breeze blow through the screen is one of the pleasures of summer. If the air conditioning is running, though, that breeze is wasted energy and wasted money.
A storm door with a glass panel gives you the best of both. You can open the main door to let in sunshine and get a view of the outdoors while the glass keeps the cool air inside. Many storm doors let you switch between glass and screen, so you can choose from day to day.
Other Ways to Keep Your House Cool
Shade the windows from outside
Blocking the sun before it reaches the glass is one of the most effective ways to cool a room. Door canopies and window awnings keep direct sunlight out of your home, which cools it naturally. They also help keep harsh UV rays from fading your furniture and carpeting.
Shade the deck or patio
A retractable awning over a deck or patio shades the sliding door and windows behind it as well as the seating area. You can roll it out on hot afternoons and retract it when you want the sun.
Upgrade old windows
If you depend on storm panels because the windows behind them are drafty, vinyl replacement windows with insulated glass give you year-round insulation without anything to put up or take down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I remove storm windows in summer?
Remove them if you cool the house with open windows. Leave them in place on any window you keep shut while the air conditioning runs.
Do storm windows trap heat inside the house?
They slow heat transfer in both directions. In an air-conditioned house that works in your favor, because the heat they slow down is coming from outside.
Can I open a window with a storm window on it?
With triple-track storm windows you can slide the glass panel up and use the built-in screen. Fixed storm panels have to be taken off to let air through.
Get Your Home Ready for a Connecticut Summer
If you are interested in storm doors or window and door canopies to keep your house comfortable through our muggy summers, contact Aladdin Inc. or call (203) 776-9996 to talk about your home.