Will New Windows Keep My House Cooler?
Jul 07, 2025Do New Windows Help With Heat in the summer? We’ve got the answers You need to keep your house cooler.
If your whole family is secretly adjusting the thermostat when you’re not looking, your windows could be to blame. This summer is living up to the hotter than average temperatures experts predicted, and air conditioners are working overtime to keep homes comfortable. More often than not, the reason is because old or outdated windows simply can’t stand up to the stress of the summer sun.
The good news is: It doesn’t have to be this way! When your windows are built with the right components to withstand summer heat transfer, you’ll be able to keep your home cooler without pushing your AC to its limits.
3 Problems with Windows & Summer Heat
Heat moves through windows in three sneaky ways: Radiation, infiltration, and conduction. The four main components of your windows should work to reduce each form of transmission. But as windows degrade over time, so does their ability to withstand heat transfer. Here’s a little more information about each issue.
Radiation
WHAT IS IT? This is the heat we feel directly from the sun. Also called “radiant heat transfer.”
HOW DOES IT AFFECT WINDOWS? Radiant heat can easily enter our homes through inefficient window glass, including:
- Single-pane windows. If your windows are old and only have one pane of glass, radiant heat will pass through easily, leaving your home hot and uncomfortable.
- Dual-pane windows with failed seals. Dual-pane windows have insulating gas sealed between two panes of glass. When this seal fails (usually within 5-7 years), the window can’t insulate against radiant heat.
- Windows without low-E coatings. Low-emissivity or “low-E” coatings reflect radiation away from the window. Windows without low-E coatings leave your home susceptible to the effects of radiant heat.
Conduction
WHAT IS IT? The transmission of heat through window materials.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT WINDOWS? Conduction takes place when heat moves through the frame and other non-glass window components into your home. Here are some examples:
- Conduction through the Spacer: In dual-pane windows, spacers separate the two glass panes, and seal in the insulating gas. Windows with metal spacers (especially common in old windows) are highly likely to transfer summer heat through the frame and into your home.
- Conduction through the Frame: In many cases, especially with value-priced replacement windows, the vinyl frames have hollow construction. This allows heat to move through the vinyl window exterior, get trapped inside the frame, and move straight through to the interior side of the window – once again, right into your home
Infiltration
WHAT IS IT? Heat passing through gaps and cracks around your windows.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT WINDOWS? Most replacement window installations leave gaps or cracks between the new window and the window opening. These are hidden by the trim pieces and window casings, but leaving easy access for hot air to seep into your home.
Tiny gaps may seem harmless, but consider this: A 1/16-inch gap all the way around a standard window is the equivalent of a hole the size of a brick in the side of your house!
Warped frames and sashes in un-reinforced windows can also lead to uncomfortable drafts year-round.
How Do New Windows Help with Heat?
When the uncomfortable effects of radiation, conduction, and infiltration leave you cranking your air conditioner, it’s probably time to consider getting new windows.
Modern windows like Improveit’s Performax54 line are designed with four components that combat all three forms of heat transfer, keeping hot summer air outside where it belongs.
1. Frame:
Our T-Core Insulated Frame helps eliminate conduction, and keeps the frame 400x stronger than standard vinyl window frames so you never have to worry about warping and cracking.
2. Sash:
The C-Core Reinforced Sashes in Performax54 windows features insulation and reinforcement so the window seals tightly and prevents uncomfortable drafts year-round
3. Glass:
Thermostat Glass is a Performax54 signature component, featuring insulating argon gas and 50% more low-E coating than other windows. This allows your Performax54 windows to reflect more summer heat away from your home.
4. Spacer:
With non-metal SolarGold Spacers, Performax54 windows seal 72% better than other replacement windows, dramatically reducing heat loss. And unlike most window companies, Improveit’s lifetime warranty covers seal failure for the life of your home!
With these four components working together, your home is in a better able to withstand the effects of summer heat. Even better? You’ll reduce your dependence on your air conditioner and see your energy bills come down!
Will New Windows Keep My House Cooler?
Yes! While every home is different, window replacement customers often rave about the positive impact that new windows have on their home comfort and energy bills.
After updating her Craftsman-style home in Louisville, homeowner Sarah Whittle told us she could already
Last month, we shared some tips and tricks on how to reduce your summer A/C usage, but even those tips don’t compare to having the most, energy-efficient windows in your home. If you’re tired of constantly running the air conditioner this summer, give ImproveIt a call for a free in-home or virtual window replacement consultation. With the right windows for your home, you’ll reclaim the thermostat and be the master of your own comfort once again.
People Also AskeD: How Do New Windows Help with Heat?
The U.S. Department of Energy says windows are responsible for as much as a 30% of your home’s energy loss.
LEARN MORE: 3 Secrets About Heat Transfer & Energy Efficiency
Window replacement will give you a great head-start on improving your home comfort, but there are several ways to lower your energy bills in the summer. Using ceiling fans, sealing your air ducts, and replacing your attic insulation are just a few options.
LEARN MORE: 7 Tricks to Lower Your Air Conditioning Bills
Understanding how your windows work is an important part of keeping your home up and running properly. Use our Anatomy of a Window guide to learn about each window component so you can stay on top of window performance and know when a repair or replacement may be necessary.
LEARN MORE: Anatomy of a Window: How the Parts of a Window Work
Different types of windows have different life expectancies. Builder-grade windows may only last 10-15 years, while wood windows can last for 20 years, and quality vinyl windows can last 20-40 years.
However, if your windows are drafty, inefficient, or have damage, such as broken parts, failed seals, or peeling finishes, it maybe time to consider replacement. Use our one-question Window Replacement Quiz to see if it’s time to start thinking about a window upgrade.
TAKE THE QUIZ: Is it Time to Replace My Windows?
Learn How Windows Can Keep Your House Cooler with a Free Consultation
If you’re tired of constantly running the air conditioner this summer, give Improveit a call for a free home energy audit and window replacement consultation. Our trusted advisors will discuss all your options and help you determine how to update your home quickly and affordably so you can reclaim your thermostat once and for all!
