What Makes a Window Energy Efficient?
Energy efficiency is a trendy term in the home market. New homes are getting constructed with the latest technology and materials to make them more energy efficient. It’s great news to homeowners who need assistance covering expensive energy costs.
The reasons to make your home more energy efficient are long and extensive. There is little debate that making a home more energy efficient is crucial to existing in the 21st century with so many options and alternatives.
But where do you begin? If you’re considering replacing your windows, you have a plethora of options. Here are the benefits and ways to make windows energy efficient.
Benefits of Energy Efficient Homes
Everyone says you need to become more energy-efficient these days. Automobiles are slowly replacing fossil fuels with electricity. The government is exploring alternative ways to produce energy. There is no shortage of profound and inspiring ideas. Why does it matter so much with your residence?
Let’s examine the primary benefits:
It’s Great for the Environment
Despite the many advances of humankind, we still produce far too much waste. Rising greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental issues aren’t going away any time soon. Our climate and personal welfare, especially the future generations, is at risk.
Therefore, making homes more energy efficient is a wise move for the earth. The National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency is the current guide the U.S. government is using to make homes more energy efficient in America.
It’s Great for Your Wallet
If you want to take a more selfish approach to energy efficiency – consider how it will impact your finances for the better. There are obvious economic benefits to homes that are energy efficient. It lowers monthly energy costs because the temperature inside your home is more controlled, causing your heating and cooling systems to work far more efficiently.
Additionally, the way homes get built, and material used is also going a long way to reducing environmental waste.
It’s a Great Return on Investment
Another selfish reason for wanting to make a home more energy efficient is the long-term benefits. There are currently several government incentives (including rebates) for making a home more energy-efficient.
Secondly, the return on your investment not only reduces home energy costs but improves its resale value. Modern homes get built with new energy efficiency codes, so older homes that fail to keep up have the risk of lower home value because of it.
Finding the means to create a more energy-efficient home is critical to your home and its resale value. You’re not only creating incentives for yourself, but also the environment and everyone else that inhabits it.
What Makes a Window Energy Efficient?
Once you start shopping for replacements, it’s important to find certified ENERGY STAR windows. The ENERGY STAR program is financed by the EPA to promote energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR recognizes that window replacements are among the greatest choices you can make for improving the energy efficiency of your home. ENERGY STAR windows are:
- Manufactured by an ENERGY STAR partner.
- They are independently tested, certified, and verified by the NFRC.
- NFRC ratings must meet additional energy efficiency guidelines provided by the EPA.
While ENERGY STAR windows don’t require any specific technologies, there are features of the windows that are frequent in every window style. The program factors different performance criteria when accessing a window such as the region of the United States where windows might exist like climate and elevation. The assessment also studies the glazing level, U-factor, and the glass-to-frame ratio of the windows.
Common Features of Energy Efficient Windows
The anatomy of a window is important when it comes to energy efficiency. Here are some of the most common features of reliable energy-efficient windows:
Type of Window Frame & Sash
The window frame matters. ENERGY STAR judges based on the type of window with each style having different characteristics. Wood frames are becoming less frequent yet still serve a value. Vinyl windows are traditionally a better choice these days. Aluminum and fiberglass windows also have outstanding value.
Type of Glass & Style
Along with the material used for a window frame, the government also studies other parts of its anatomy. For example, installation factors like creating a thorough window seal and buying double pane or triple pane glass contribute to energy efficiency.
Single pane windows still serve a purpose, yet they are getting ushered out by double-pane and triple-pane options. It’s a smart move, considering the windows are more energy-efficient along with blocking out UV rays, soundproofing, and reducing heat loss.
Once you start shopping for replacement windows, you’ll frequently stumble into the term “Low-E Windows”. What does it mean? Low-emissivity windows, or Low-E glass, is far superior at blocking harmful sun rays. In fact, it can block up to 99.9 percent of UV rays as well as reduce the transfer of energy from your home to outside.
Window Spacers
Window spacers get overlooked as a vital component of windows. The spacers serve as small brackets which contain the glass panels and press them tight against the window sash and frame.
Aluminium spacers are common, but not very energy efficient. The cheap type of spacer serves as an energy conductor which reduces the overall thermal efficiency of the window.
Modern and advanced window spacers can help contribute to a window that’s affordable, durable, and – most importantly – energy efficient.
Make Your Windows Energy Efficient with Professional Installation
It is extremely important to remind homeowners that energy-efficient windows, no matter how much you spend on them, only serve their intended purpose when installed correctly. Installing replacement windows isn’t an easy process and best left in the hands of professionals.
Regardless of the quality of material and ENERGY STAR certification, if the window doesn’t get installed correctly, it will lose its effectiveness. Poor window installations with gaps or other mistakes could make your home less energy-efficient even if you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars.
The point is not to skip out on installation costs if you already spent a bundle on the windows. Your new windows are only as energy-efficient as its installation. Consequently, make sure you don’t skip corners at the end, and hire an installer that has experience or a quality reputation.
Find a Window Replacement Company
Finding a reputable window replacement company is extremely difficult. You’ll want to go with a company that offers high quality window products that are built to last for many years. Vinyl windows are extremely durable and energy efficient. Next, you’ll want to go with a company that provides excellent local services to accommodate local residents.
We’re talking about customer service being present when you need help and multiple showrooms to showoff the high quality windows. Most importantly, you’ll want to go with a company that has decades of experience and reputation for great installation.
At Feldco, we provide all of those qualities plus more. That’s why over 400,000 happy customers went with Feldco for their home improvement needs. Speak to a product specialist about our energy efficient windows and get a free quote online today.
