I remember as a very young child wishing our house had a big picture window like our neighbors across the street. Well as I learned later on in life, even though that window was very nice,it was not energy efficient. Basically the bigger the window the less efficient it is and the more windows in a house......you've got it, lost efficiency.

If you have plans on building and living where there is a fantastic view it is well worth it to invest in energy-efficient windows to reduce the negative consequences of lost efficiency.

The placement of windows if you're are building your own home or buying an already built home will affect the amount of heat absorbed in a house.

Windows on the western side of a house can heat up a home in the hot summertime to make it feel hot as an oven. Also that same window can make the room very warm and cozy in winters cold.

Crank style windows operate using cranks and are the most efficient design in a window. They allow for the window to seal tight against the frame. The Double-hung style window that slides sideways or up and down are not as efficient because they have to be able to slide which means there is some looseness which in turn allows air in and out.

Dual-pane windows are made with two sheets of glass with an air cavity between the two panes. In cold weather the space between dual-pane windows fills up with argon and the glass is covered with a low-emissivity coating which allows heat to reflect back into the living areas. On the contrary in warm climates the heat is reflected back outside. The only downside to dual-pane windows is that the chemical made for the window coating can be harmful to the environment and can cause some of the same problems that pesticides do.

Whatever windows use do use make sure they are installed properly with a tight seal so energy is not wasted.

I haven't said anything about doors but the most important thing is to make sure they close with a tight seal and have the proper weather stripping installed. This keeps the temperature inside the house and money in your bank.