Energy: 3 Thing to consider about your home's doors

When climate-controlled air escapes or gaps allow non-climate-controlled air inside, heating and cooling system are forced to work overtime. Although frugal people often calculate the cost benefits of replacement windows to reduce energy loss, entry and secondary doors also have a significant effect. A poorly insulated door with even small gaps around the casing can create ongoing drafts. If you are considering replacing an outdated or inefficient door, these are things to consider.

1: Choose an energy-efficient material

Fiberglass doors are widely considered the most energy-efficient because they are poor heat conductors. Materials that absorb energy such as heat and cold transfer it from the outdoors through your door. For example, when the temperatures outside are below freezing, the door radiates those temperatures into the home.

This process might seem like a nominal cost driver, but energy efficiency is about tightening heat and cold losses. Following fiberglass, vinyl, steel and wood provide energy efficiency in descending order.

2: Glass panes can be energy efficient

Although glass conducts heat and cold easily, this facet does not necessarily mean home, and commercial building owners should avoid them. The ability to see outside and the infusion of natural light into the space also provide value.

Just like windows, doors panes offer varying degrees of energy efficiency. When selecting a product that serves your needs, conduct some due diligence about glass ratings.

3: Material fluctuations cause energy loss

One of the reasons industry professionals typically rank fiberglass, vinyl, and steel ahead of wooden doors stems from expansion and contraction. Wood suffers swelling and tightening far more than the other materials, which means cold weather generally causes the door to shrink and allows increased drafts to leak in. Wooden doors enjoy natural beauty, but the heat loss can be significant.

When choosing the best door for your needs, energy efficiency ranks among many factors. A sound decision also weighs appearance, durability, security, cost and other items. The right door helps reduce utility bills and makes homeowners feel good in many ways.