Due to rising energy prices, more and more consumers are wondering how they can easily save on heating costs. winter mode for windows when searching , which is supposed to help. Supposedly a trick would increase the contact pressure, which would make the window tighter. However, an expert advises against this method.

Screenshot: TikTok / Myth Winter mode: Save heating costs through tighter windows
Screenshot: TikTok / Myth Winter mode: Save heating costs through tighter windows

What is really behind the so-called winter mode?

The so-called winter mode of plastic windows is supposed to be a small pin that, when adjusted with an Allen key, increases the contact pressure of the window and thus guarantees a tighter window. Proponents of this method claim that this should save heating costs because less warm air escapes outside. They like to mention the thermal expansion of the seals. For many laypeople this may sound sensible at first, but according to one expert there is a crucial error in this claim.

Modern windows are tight anyway – the manufacturer guarantees this

With wooden windows without seals, it was still common for outside air to infiltrate and ensure a change of air. This reinforces the misconception that modern windows have to be adjusted in winter so that they remain tight. However, modern windows are subject to strict guidelines: The Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) stipulates that all newly manufactured windows must close airtight at all times of the year. If this is not the case, they may not be installed at all and the latter will be checked again by the craftsman every time they are installed.

Is there a winter mode for windows?

In a conversation with myHOMEBOOK, master craftsman and structural damage expert Ulrich Opitz explains:

“I keep coming to people who say my window is leaking. However, I have never heard of the ominous “winter mode” for windows. This doesn’t usually happen with customers either.” According to the expert, hardly anyone in his circle of experts knows this method.

Nevertheless, many articles on the Internet point to the “winter mode trick”. These “instructions” describe twisting the “rolling pins” or “mushroom pins”.

More harm than good

Anyone who thinks they are a clever fox and thinks they can turn the locking pins a little is on the wrong track. On the contrary, according to Opitz, adjusting windows can actually cause more harm than good. We therefore strongly advise against making settings on the window yourself.

If private customers mess around with it themselves, they can cause more harm than good. “It can then happen that the seals become damaged over the winter ,” says the expert. The higher contact pressure accelerates wear, which can lead to the window actually quickly becoming leaky. It is also possible that unqualified settings will void the manufacturer's warranty. In addition, that would conversely mean that the windows would be leaky in the summer, which doesn't make sense, says Opitz.

Additional seals? – No, windows tend to be too tight these days

Schmidinger company , it is also not advisable to replace or add additional seals yourself. This practice is also damaging to the windows in the long term, as the resulting stress can cause the window sash to become crooked or the fittings to be damaged. Opitz also emphasizes: “I put additional strain on my window components. If damage occurs to the belts, for example, it is my own fault, the industry is happy to sell it.”

Furthermore, leaky windows are not the actual problem. “We have a problem with windows that are too tight. Condensate in the room air leads to damage, for example mold on the walls, if you don't ventilate properly ," says the master craftsman.

As a layperson, please do not adjust the installed fittings as this can cause more damage to the window. A window service should always be carried out by a specialist company!

Revealed: actual function of the locking pins

No window can avoid wear and tear on the seals in the long term. That's why windows inevitably leak at some point. In this case, a qualified craftsman can increase the contact pressure on the window by adjusting the locking pin so that it sits tightly again. This method allows the customer to use seals for longer before they need to be replaced.

Sources:

Make your windows winter-proof
Winter mode for windows?

Also read:
The tea light oven with flower pots - Not really a real heater


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