What Is Heat Transfer?

Heat transfer, or thermal transfer as it is sometimes called, is a process by which heat moves from one place to another. The most common type of heat transfer talked about in the home improvement world is conduction, which concerns the movement of heat from a warmer object to an adjacent object with a lower temperature. Homes typically lose about 10 percent of their heat through the windows, and if the windows are old and inefficient, or were not installed properly, this number could be much higher.

Essentially, heat transfer through windows (and doors and walls) works like this: When you’re sitting inside your Cross Plains, Wisconsin, home, with your furnace keeping you warm and toasty, and the temperature outside is frigid, all of that nice warm air inside your home will be trying to escape and move to the area outside with the lower temperature. However, most modern windows are equipped with a number of features that are specifically designed to combat this natural process. Among them are multiple panes of glass that have been treated with microscopic layers of metal to reflect the sun’s rays and regulate the surface temperature of the glass. Between these panes of glass is a pocket of gas—usually either argon or krypton—which acts as an invisible insulator to slow down the heat that is trying to leave. Likewise, in the summertime, when you’re sitting in a refreshingly cool living room, you will experience heat transfer, but this time it will be the hot air from outside that is trying get inside your nice, cool home.

Is It Time to Replace Your Windows?

If you struggle to keep your Cross Plains-area home at a comfortable temperature, or if your monthly heating and cooling cost are inexplicably high, there’s a good chance your windows are to blame. Not only can installing replacement windows help you reduce heat transfer into and out of your home but by reducing your HVAC system’s workload, you can prolong its lifespan and possibly even save some money on your energy bills.

Frey Construction has been serving homeowners in Cross Plains and surrounding areas for more than 20 years. Our experienced team can help you choose the right replacement windows for your home and can install them promptly and flawlessly the first time so they perform as intended and limit heat transfer for many years to come. Contact us today to schedule your free in-home consultation, and when you call, don’t forget to ask about the easy financing options that we offer to homeowners who qualify.