South-facing windows are your home’s built-in “solar panels” in the winter.

During the colder months, the sun sits lower in the sky and shines more directly through south-facing glass. That free solar energy helps warm up your interior spaces during the day, reducing how hard your heating system has to work.

When screens are left on:

• They block a portion of the sunlight.
• They create a small “shadow” over the glass.
• They slightly reduce how much radiant heat actually enters your home.

When you remove those screens:

• More sunlight reaches the glass directly.
• Your home absorbs more heat naturally throughout the day.
• Rooms on the south side feel warmer and more comfortable, especially on clear, sunny days.

You’re essentially letting your windows do what they were designed to do in winter: capture solar warmth.

Brighter, More Enjoyable Living Spaces

In winter, daylight is already in short supply. The sun is lower, days are shorter, and many people notice their mood and energy dip.

Screens, even when clean, slightly dim and diffuse the light coming into your home. On the south side, where you get the most winter sun, that can be a missed opportunity.

Without screens:

• Rooms feel brighter and more open.
• Colors look more natural and vivid.
• You get more natural light during those already limited daylight hours.

This can make a big difference if your main living areas, kitchen, or home office are on the south side. More brightness can help your home feel less “winter gloomy” and more inviting.

Less Snow & Ice Buildup Between Screen and Glass

One of the biggest hidden problems with leaving screens on in winter is what happens during snowstorms.

When snow blows against the house:

• It can get trapped between the screen and the glass.
• That snow often sits there, pressed up against your window.
• As temperatures fluctuate, it melts and refreezes.

This creates a few issues:

• Colder interior glass: Packed snow and ice on the outside make the glass much colder, which can reduce comfort and increase heat loss.
• Fogging and condensation: The colder the glass, the more likely you are to see condensation or even interior frosting on very cold days.
• Efficiency drop: Windows with snow trapped in front of them act more like an ice block than an energy-efficient window.

Removing screens on the south side allows snow to fall off or blow away more easily, instead of staying wedged in a pocket between screen and glass. That helps your windows perform closer to their rated efficiency.

Better Overall Window Efficiency in Winter

Your windows are part of your home’s insulation system. Anything that interferes with their performance can show up on your heating bill.

By removing south-facing screens in winter, you:

• Allow more solar gain (free heat).
• Reduce snow and ice buildup that cools the glass.
• Help keep the indoor glass surface warmer, which is more comfortable and reduces drafty “cold wall” feelings.

All of that adds up to windows that work more efficiently with your heating system instead of against it.

A Great Time to Inspect and Maintain Your Windows

Taking the screens off for winter also gives you a built-in reminder to do a quick window checkup:

• Look for failed caulking or gaps around frames.
• Check for cracked glass or damaged weatherstripping.
• Clean the glass for maximum light and heat.
• Inspect the screens themselves for holes or tears before you store them.

This quick check helps you catch small issues before they become repairs and keeps your windows working their best year-round.

Common Questions About Removing Window Screens for Winter

Do I need to remove all my screens?

No. The biggest benefits come from south-facing windows, since they receive the most winter sun and usually the most solar gain. If you want to keep it simple, start with just those.

What about bugs?

In winter, insects are far less active, and most people aren’t opening windows when it’s cold out. If you do crack a window on a mild day, you can simply open one that still has a screen or temporarily pop a screen back in.

Will they be hard to reinstall?

Most modern window screens are designed to be removed and reinstalled seasonally. If you’re unsure how, a quick walkthrough from a pro, or even a few labeled photos as you remove them, can make spring reinstallation easy.

A Simple Seasonal Habit with Real Benefits

Removing the window screens on the south-facing side of your home is:

• Simple – takes just a little time once a year
• Smart – uses the sun to your advantage in winter
• Efficient – helps your windows perform closer to their potential
• Comfort-boosting – brighter rooms, warmer feel, less gloomy winter light