All You Need to Know About Energy Efficient Windows

 

Energy-efficient windows are ideal if you want to replace your old and drafty windows. This new addition can increase your comfort of living, enhance your home's curb appeal, and leverage your property's value. Here's all you need to know about energy-efficient windows.

Advantages of Energy Efficient Windows

Reduction in heating and cooling bills: Installing energy-efficient windows can help you save around 460 dollars every year on energy bills.

Reduction in carbon footprint: When your HVAC doesn't work twice as much, you spend less energy and your carbon footprint goes down.

Comfortable house round the year: Energy-efficient buildings can save you from internal temperature fluctuations and ensure comfort throughout the year.

Leveraged property value: Installing energy-efficient windows can offer homeowners a 70% return on investment.

Better protection for furniture: As these windows reflect most of the UV rays, they save your furniture from getting faded or ruined.

Better views: They offer better visibility without making the room hot.

All these benefits combined can help a homeowner live a good quality of life and make the selling process easier.

How Can We Measure Energy Efficiency?

Resistance to heat flow, Conduction of heat flow, air leakage, and solar heat gain is measured when we have to determine the energy efficiency of a window.

R-value: It determines how well a window can resist heat flow. R-value is measured from the window's center. The higher the R-value, the greater its energy efficiency.

U-factor: It determines the Conduction of the heat flow. U-factor is measured from one to ten. A lower value is best for places where the difference between the interior and exterior temperature is a lot.

Solar heat gain coefficient: It's the ability of a window to ward off the heat. The solar heat gain coefficient is measured from zero to one. Similar to U-factor, lower values of solar heat gain coefficient is better, especially in hot climates where energy is spent on air conditioning.

Air leakage: Air leakage is gauged in cubic feet-per-minute. The lower values signify minimal air leakage. Modern windows can be very resistant to air leakage.

Energy Performance Ratings and Energy Star Ratings

The Energy Star program of the US has set standards for different energy-efficient fixtures and home appliances. The Energy Star rating for skylights and windows differs based on climate as different temperatures require different types of cooling and heating challenges.

For a product to be certified by Energy Star, it should meet the following three criteria:

·         They should be manufactured by an Energy Star partner.

·         They should get ratings that comply with the stringent guidelines by the EPA.

·         They should be certified and tested by the National Fenestration Rating Council.

Therefore, when you're purchasing windows, you must ensure that they have the Energy Star logo. It will give you surety that your home will be comfortable and energy-efficient round the year.

Low-E Glass

Low-E refers to low emissivity. Low-E glass has a thin coat of metallic oxide, allowing natural light to pass through the window and enter your home. But in the process, it will block the harmful UV rays of the sun from entering your home. Low-E glass coatings are transparent, so you cannot distinguish Low-E glass from regular glass unless stated.

Advantages of Low-E glass:

·         It prevents sun rays from entering your home during summertime and ensures that heat doesn't leave your home during winters. 

·         Prevents furniture and carpets from fading due to extreme sunlight

·         Drastically improves the energy efficiency of your home

Number of Panes and Their Impact on Window's Energy Efficiency

Triple and double windowpanes have multiple layers of insulation in the exterior and interior of the house. Therefore, the energy efficiency of your windows increases as the number of panes increase. A single pane window is very inefficient with an R-value of 1. Untreated double and triple windowpanes have an R-value of 2.1 and 3.2, respectively.

Comparison of the Energy Efficiency of Each Type of Window

As a homeowner, when you go looking for new windows, you'll come across different styles of windows with varying levels of energy efficiency. Every window has a different design that can impact its energy efficiency. Five common window types include:

Single-hung windows: These windows contain two sashes. The upper portion of the window is the unmovable sash, while the lower sash is moveable. As the upper sash of this window is fixed, these windows are airtight.

Double-hung windows: These windows have two sashes, and both of them can slide on separate paths. Double-hung windows have the same energy efficiency as single-hung windows. However, their energy efficiency can diminish with time as their moveable sashes can get loose.

Picture windows: These windows offer an excellent energy efficiency level as they aren't designed to open. Because of that, they never allow any air to pass through them. If you treat picture windows with special coatings, you can add to their energy efficiency.

Casement windows: These windows can be easily opened and closed on hinges with the help of a handle. Casement windows are among the most energy-efficient windows which can open and close. It's because their design enables them to seal tightly. They can get even more tightly shut in the presence of exterior pressure from harsh winds. You must keep the window seal clean to ensure complete closure.

Sliding windows: These windows can slide from left to right because they have small wheels installed on a track. Their seal is flexible, making sliding windows less energy efficient than casement windows and more energy efficient than single and double-hung windows.

It doesn't matter what kind of windows you install in your house. Make sure you routinely maintain them to ensure windows' energy efficiency. Therefore, talk to your home window replacement service about how you can maintain your window's energy efficiency.

Home Window Glass Repair in Germantown, MD

Quality Window and Glass Repair LLC is a residential window glass repair company. They provide low-cost window repair services for all your residential glass needs. Get in touch with them and get same-day window repair service at affordable costs.