Energy Efficient Windows
All About the Right Windows for Your Home
Are your windows energy efficient, or do you have old-fashioned windows dating back to the era when no one much cared about energy efficiency? While replacing your old-fashioned windows might require an initial investment, your replacement windows will save you money and energy in the long run. What follows below is a primer for anyone new to buying energy efficient windows.
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Facts and Figures About Energy Efficient Windows
Just how much money can you save with energy efficient windows? According to the government’s Energy Star website, an energy efficient window can save homeowners $126 to $465 per year when replacing single-pane windows; replacement windows for double-pane windows can save homeowners $27 to $111 per year. Depending upon your situation, you might also qualify for government tax credits when you replace your old windows with new, energy efficient windows.
Tips for Selecting Energy Efficient Windows
To take advantage of government tax credits on your replacement windows, you need to find windows that are marked with the government Energy Star logo. What qualifies windows to have the Energy Star? Here are a few factors:
- Framing Materials: Energy efficient windows use a variety of framing materials. Fiberglass frames are some of the best because of the durability and low maintenance. Other frames that might qualify include vinyl, wood, aluminum, or composite frames.
- Multiple Panes: Single-pane windows are rather old-fashioned and not nearly as energy efficient as the new generation of double and even triple-pane windows.
- Gas Fills: In some very high-tech energy efficient windows, the space between the panes is filled with a non-toxic gas. This creates even better insulation for the window.
- Low-E Glass: Coatings on the window glass can reflect certain harmful types of light which cause furniture, curtains and drapes, and other home furnishings to fade over time. But the benefit is not just cosmetic: these coatings keep warmth from the sun inside during the winter, and outside during the summer.
U-factors and R-values
When looking for energy efficient windows for a new home, or replacement windows for your current, energy inefficient windows, look for the “U-factor” and the “R-value”. The “U-factor” reveals how well the window conducts heat. The lower the U-factor, the more energy efficient the window will be. The “R-value”, on the other hand, describes how well insulated the window is. The higher the R-value, the better the energy efficient window. Don’t forget – you can add your own “insulation” to your windows by adding curtains and drapes.
