🪟 What Is a Window Efficiency Scorecard — and Why Illinois Homeowners Should Care

If your home feels drafty in winter ❄️, overheats in summer ☀️, or your energy bills keep climbing 📈 — your windows may be quietly costing you money every month.

At Cornerstone Restoration, we use a Window Efficiency Scorecard to give homeowners a clear, data-driven way to understand how their windows are actually performing — not just how old they look.

👉 This process is part of our professional window inspection and window replacement services https://www.restorewithcornerstone.com/windows-and-doors

“Every window is inspected and staged before installation to ensure proper sizing, efficiency, and fit.”

🧾 What Is the Window Efficiency Scorecard?

The Window Efficiency Scorecard is a room-by-room window inspection designed to identify:

• heat loss

• air infiltration

• broken seals

• safety and security issues

Instead of guessing, our inspectors perform a hands-on window evaluation during your home inspection.

👉 This inspection is commonly performed during:

• storm damage evaluations

• energy efficiency consultations

• renovation planning

🌡️ How Window Efficiency Is Measured

1️⃣ Temperature Difference Test

We measure the interior wall temperature and compare it to the glass surface using a laser thermometer.

• Less than 8°F difference → 🟢 Green

• 8–14°F difference → 🟡 Yellow

• 15°F or more → 🔴 Red

A large gap means your HVAC system is working overtime to keep the room comfortable.

👉 Excessive temperature loss is one of the top reasons homeowners explore window replacement options

2️⃣ Draft & Air Leak Test

Air movement around a window frame allows conditioned air to escape and outside air to enter 💨.

If drafts are detected, the window is no longer sealing properly.

👉 Draft issues are often discovered during our energy efficiency inspections

3️⃣ Seal Failure Check

Fog or condensation between panes indicates a failed insulated glass unit.

Once seals fail, the window cannot be repaired — insulation value is lost permanently.

👉 Seal failure usually leads to full window replacement rather than repair

4️⃣ Hardware & Safety Inspection

Windows that don’t lock or operate smoothly are:

• energy inefficient

• a security risk

• a safety concern

👉 Hardware issues are reviewed as part of our complete window evaluation process

🚦 How Windows Are Graded

Each window receives a grade:

• 🟢 Green — performing properly

• 🟡 Yellow — declining efficiency

• 🔴 Red — critical failure

If a window earns one Red score, the final grade is Red.

👉 This grading system helps homeowners decide whether to:

• monitor windows

• repair hardware

• replace only the worst windows

📉 Understanding the Energy Waste Estimate

At the end of the scorecard, homeowners see an Estimated Monthly Energy Waste range:

• 🟢 Low ($0–$20)

• 🟡 Medium ($20–$50)

• 🔴 High ($50+)

This estimate helps homeowners understand severity, not exact utility costs.

👉 Reducing energy loss is one of the biggest benefits of new energy-efficient windows

🏠 When Should You Schedule a Window Inspection?

A Window Efficiency Scorecard is especially useful if:

• rooms feel drafty or cold

• energy bills are increasing

• windows show fog or condensation

• you’re planning renovations or resale

👉 Schedule a professional window inspection with Cornerstone Restoration

📍 Window Services for Illinois Homeowners

Cornerstone Restoration provides window inspections and window replacement services throughout Chicagoland, including Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and surrounding suburbs.

👉 Learn more about our full window services https://www.restorewithcornerstone.com/windows-and-doors

✅ Final Thought

We don’t sell windows first.

We measure first.

If you want to know whether your windows are saving you money or costing you money, the Window Efficiency Scorecard gives you answers you can see — not just hear.