Ask the Expert: What should I do about leaky jalousie windows?

By Ken Sheinkopf

Q: We moved into an older house in south Florida recently and we have a number of places where I can feel air leaking. The home hasn't been remodeled much since it was built. I was thinking of putting some type of window film on the windows. We've never had jalousie windows before, and I wonder if they can be part of our problem. What do you think?

A: I think you're totally correct—the jalousies are a big part of your problem. While this type of window was popular for many years in hot climates, it is absolutely terrible in terms of the amount of air leakage it allows. As a result, jalousie windows allow humid air to get inside the home, causing your air conditioner to work harder to get rid of it.

Unfortunately, there really is no good way to seal this type of window, so the best thing to do is consider replacing jalousies with energy-efficient windows. Itâs an investment that will pay off in both lower utility bills and greatly improved home comfort.

As for putting film on jalousie windows, I donât think that will help your particular problem. Window film can do a great job of cutting down on direct sun coming into a house through unshaded windows, which is a major contributor to air-conditioning costs. However, your problem with this type of windows is more the air leakage, and even if you cut down on the sun getting into the house, youâll still have this bigger problem.

Some simple home remodeling ö ranging from low-cost caulking and window stripping to more expensive improvements like new windows or more efficient appliances—will pay big dividends over time. If your home has an older refrigerator, for example, consider that it runs 24 hours a day. Newer models are considerably more efficient than those made just a few years ago, so buying a new one will pay for itself in energy savings in just a few years, giving you many years of efficient operation after the payback period.

Energy Tip: Take a look at the insulation in your attic and look for dirty spots. They are often found in places where there are holes allowing air to leak into and out of the house. You can staple sheets of plastic over these holes and caulk the edges of the plastic to seal it tightly.

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Editor's Note: Note: Ken Sheinkopf is Associate Director of the Florida Solar Energy Center. Write to him at 1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, FL 32922, or e-mail Sheinkopf@fsec.ucf.edu.

REPP does not endorse products and this is not to serve as a scientific or comprehensive analysis of any product.