Energy-Efficient Doors: Can They Reduce Your Energy Bills?

Between the morning rush and coming home at the end of the day, you probably don’t give your doors much thought, even as you pass through them. But these everyday gateways are actually a key part of an energy-efficient home. When doors are drafty, your HVAC system has to work harder to keep you comfortable, which requires more energy than it should. Even if they’re tightly air sealed, older doors might still be letting heat slip in or out.

Upgrading to energy-efficient doors can help you cut down on that wasted energy and lower your monthly bills. To help you get started, we’ve put together everything you need to know about choosing the right doors.

Do new doors improve your home’s energy efficiency?

Unwanted heat can enter or leave your home through doors by leaking around the edges, passing through the door itself, or via sunlight coming through windows. Leaky doors can make your heat pump (or other HVAC system) run harder than necessary, wasting energy. Replacing an old inefficient door with a new efficient one can reduce your energy usage.

Energy-efficient doors are designed with heat transfer in mind. A door’s efficiency is measured in several ways, according to the Department of Energy.

Solar heat gain coefficient: A measure of how much solar heat the door admits into your home. The higher the SHGC, the more solar heat it traps. A high SHGC may be beneficial in places with cold, sunny winters, while a low SHGC is a good fit for hot and sunny locations.

U-factor: A measure of how much non-solar heat a door transmits. The lower the U-factor, the more efficient the door.

Air leakage rate: A low air leakage rate means a door is more efficient because it’s not drafty.

Visible transmittance: VT measures how much visible light the door lets in. It’s not strictly a measure of efficiency, but can be a useful comparison point.

What is your home’s envelope?

Your home’s envelope is made up of the walls, windows, foundation, ceiling, and doors that separate the inside from the outside. You can also think of it as anything keeping conditioned air inside your home. The tighter your home’s envelope is sealed, the fewer areas that leak or transfer unwanted heat in or out.

Installing energy-efficient doors is one way to improve your home’s envelope. So are installing new windows, improving your insulation, and sealing drafts and leaks with proper weatherstripping. Heat gain and loss from windows account for 25-30% of a home’s heating and cooling energy use. Properly sealing and insulating a home can save 15% of a home’s heating and cooling costs. You can find many ways to improve your home’s envelope by conducting a DIY energy audit or hiring a professional to conduct one.

Tax credits for new doors

Tax credits for new Energy Star rated doors existed through the end of 2025. Local credits or rebates may exist in certain locations. As a starting point, check with your state and local governments and your utility.

How to choose a new door

Choosing the right door is a matter of balancing performance and appearance.

• Heat gain: A door’s U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient are good measures of its efficiency. Look also for the Energy Star certification.
• Air sealing: Better air sealing means fewer drafts and greater comfort. Air sealing also relies on proper installation.
• Glass: Low-E glass reduces the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that gets into your house, keeping it cooler and protecting your furniture from fading. Low-E glass may be a particularly useful consideration and benefit with energy-efficient sliding glass doors. 
• Cost: Budget is always a concern. Depending on the door and the installation costs, you could pay between $300-$1,000 for each exterior door installed. If you’re looking at energy-efficient sliding glass doors, replacing the panes generally ranges from $450-$1,200 for the panes and installation. Buying full new doors may range from $1,200-$5,500. 
• Appearance: Appearance could be less important for less visible doors, but you don’t want an ugly front door.

The right mix of budget, efficiency, and appearance can make your home look better, feel more comfortable, and save money.

Check out Palmetto’s Savings Maximizer or download the new Palmetto app to see how much you could save with other home energy changes.

Frequently asked questions

Are new doors energy efficient?

Energy Star-certified doors (along with certified windows and skylights) can “shrink energy bills by an average of up to 13% percent on heating and cooling costs nationwide, compared to non-certified products,” Energy Star says. Not all new doors are certified by Energy Star and may be less efficient.

How can I make my door more energy efficient?

You can make your doors more efficient without replacing them. Properly installed weatherstripping can block seals and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Palmetto does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors.