Step 6: Consider Energy Efficient Doors

Insulation foam

Hollow core doors made from fiberglass or steel should have insulating foam inside them to increase energy efficiency. The material advantages of fiberglass and steel allow them to be formed into hollow core doors, as opposed to solid wood doors. This allows them to be much lighter and easier to open without sacrificing security and strength. There is a large hollow space within the door that can be filled with other materials to enhance their energy efficiency. One of the best filling materials is insulating foam. Similar to the foam that is used in home construction to insulate walls and attics, this is a specialized kind of foam that does not transmit heat very well, allowing the door to insulate the interior home from the exterior elements. Any energy efficient door will have some form of insulating foam on the interior of the door. As it is a foam, it should not add much weight to the door, but will significantly improve its insulating properties and energy efficiency.

Weather stripping

Another important thing to look for when choosing a new door is effective weather stripping. Weather stripping is the process of adding a special strip to the outside of a door that keeps the seal between the door and the frame tight. This is important for keeping not only rain and insects outside, but also in maintaining the temperature within your home. If there is an effective seal on your door, your climate control system does not have to work as hard to keep the internal temperature comfortable in summer or winter. This saves you energy as your system does not have to fight to keep the temperature constant, leading to savings on your hydro bill over time. Weather stripping is most often made from rubber, special plastics, or a hybrid of the two. Look for effective weather stripping on your replacement home door if you want to ensure maximum energy efficiency.

Low-e glass inserts

Looking at whether the glass inserts in your door are low-e glass is another way to help you save energy. A common feature in energy efficient windows, low-e glass, is a modern technology that improves the insulating properties of windows in the home. A special coating is applied to the glass that helps to reflect infrared and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Infrared radiation is the main source of heat conduction from sunlight, and by preventing it from coming into your home, you can maintain cooler temperatures during summer. It also prevents infrared radiation from leaving your home, which keeps it warm during winter. UV light is the main cause of sun bleaching, to which materials like wood, carpet, and plastics are particularly susceptible. Filtering this out with low-e glass helps protect your furnishings from sun damage and helps maintain temperature balance as well.