Ever feel a draft near your windows even when they’re closed? That’s air infiltration, and it’s silently impacting your home’s comfort and energy bills. For Atlanta homeowners, understanding this often-overlooked aspect of window performance can lead to significant improvements in both comfort and energy efficiency.
What is Air Infiltration?
Air infiltration is the unintended passage of air through small gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior envelope. While this happens throughout your home, windows are one of the most common culprits.
“Many Atlanta homeowners don’t realize that even when windows appear completely closed, air is still moving through them,” explains our lead window specialist. “It’s not about whether air infiltration happens—it’s about how much.”
source: energyeducation.ca
Where Air Infiltration Occurs in Windows
In typical windows, air commonly infiltrates through:
- The meeting point where sashes come together
- Areas where the sash meets the frame
- Corners and edges of the window unit
- Weatherstripping that has deteriorated
Even brand-new windows allow some air exchange—it’s a matter of how much and how it affects your home’s efficiency and comfort.
Natural vs. Excessive Air Infiltration
According to the EPA, some air exchange is actually beneficial for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. However, excessive air infiltration forces your HVAC system to work harder, especially during Atlanta’s hot summers and occasional winter cold snaps.
Understanding CFM Ratings
When evaluating window performance, air infiltration is measured in cubic feet per minute per square foot (CFM/sq ft). This measurement tells you how much air passes through a window under specific test conditions.
What the Numbers Mean
The industry standard for air infiltration is ≤ .30 CFM/sq ft when tested against a 25-mph wind. In practical terms:
- .30 CFM: Industry standard (allows approximately 30% air infiltration)
- .20 CFM: Good performance
- .10 CFM: Excellent performance
- .01 CFM: Superior performance (prevents up to 99.99% of air infiltration)
The difference between standard windows and high-performance options is dramatic. A window with .01 CFM rating allows virtually no air infiltration compared to standard windows.
Real-World Impact
To understand what these numbers mean for your Atlanta home, consider this: A standard window with .30 CFM rating in a typical room might completely exchange the room’s air every few hours. A high-performance window with .01 CFM would take days to allow the same amount of air exchange.
This difference directly impacts:
- How hard your HVAC system works
- Your monthly energy bills
- Your home’s comfort level
- Indoor air quality management
Why Air Infiltration Matters in Atlanta
Atlanta’s climate presents unique challenges that make window air infiltration particularly important to address.
Climate Considerations
Our region experiences:
- Hot, humid summers where cool air can escape
- Occasional winter freezes requiring efficient heating
- High pollen counts during spring and fall
- Frequent thunderstorms and heavy rain
Each of these conditions makes proper window sealing crucial for maintaining comfort and efficiency.
Energy Usage Impact
According to energy experts, air leakage accounts for 25-40% of the energy used for heating and cooling in a typical home. In Atlanta’s climate, with our extended cooling season, this translates to significant costs.
“Many Atlanta homeowners are shocked when they calculate how much they’re spending on air that’s literally going out the window!”
Comfort and Air Quality
Beyond energy costs, excessive air infiltration affects:
- Temperature consistency throughout your home
- Humidity control (crucial in Atlanta’s climate)
- Allergen infiltration during pollen season
- Noise reduction from outside
Reading Window Labels
When shopping for energy-efficient windows in Atlanta, understanding window labels helps you make informed decisions.
NFRC Label Explained
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label appears on all quality windows and provides standardized performance information:
- U-Factor: Measures heat transfer (lower is better)
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: Measures solar heat blocked
- Visible Transmittance: Measures light allowed through
- Air Leakage: Measures air infiltration
Energy Star Certification
Energy Star certified windows must meet specific criteria for our Southern climate zone, including appropriate SHGC ratings for our cooling-dominated region.
What to Look For
For optimal performance in Atlanta:
- Air Leakage rating of .10 or lower
- U-Factor of 0.30 or lower
- SHGC of 0.25 or lower for our cooling-dominated climate
The Chattahoochee Difference
At Chattahoochee Windows, we’ve specifically selected window systems that address Atlanta’s unique climate challenges.
Superior Air Infiltration Prevention
Our premium windows feature:
- Air infiltration ratings as low as .01 CFM
- Cam-style locks that pull sashes tightly together
- Synthetic fiber weatherstripping that maintains performance
- Professional installation that ensures proper sealing
Installation Expertise
Even the best windows perform poorly if improperly installed. Our certified installation teams:
- Follow manufacturer specifications precisely
- Ensure proper alignment and sealing
- Address existing structural issues
- Verify operation and performance
Long-Term Performance
Our windows maintain their air infiltration prevention properties through:
- High-quality materials that resist deterioration
- Proper installation techniques
- Comprehensive warranty protection
- Ongoing support and service
Making the Right Choice for Your Atlanta Home
Understanding air infiltration is just one aspect of choosing the right windows, but it’s one that significantly impacts your home’s efficiency and comfort.
By selecting windows with superior air infiltration ratings and ensuring professional installation, you can:
- Reduce energy costs by 15-25%
- Improve comfort throughout your home
- Decrease outside noise penetration
- Better manage indoor air quality
- Protect your home from weather extremes
Contact Chattahoochee Windows today at 770-904-9909 for a free consultation. Our window experts will help you understand how improved air infiltration performance can transform your Atlanta home’s comfort and efficiency.
