PART 1: HOW DOES WINDOW REPLACEMENT IMPROVE HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY?
Energy efficiency is a crucial factor in homes these days, especially with the public’s growing awareness of environmental concerns and the increasing cost of electricity. This is why homeowners today are doing all they can to make their home as energy-efficient as possible. Many know that one of the easiest ways to bring down energy consumption is by replacing old windows, but how exactly does doing so help improve energy efficiency in homes? It’s thanks to offering: BETTER VENTILATION Ever since they were invented, windows have done a great job in keeping a home well-ventilated. This is especially true during warmer seasons, where a window can help bring in cool air from the outside and let warm, stale air out. An older window might have problem with keeping a home well-ventilated, especially if it fails to properly operate. This means you won’t be able to use window openings as you’re supposed to, making you miss out on ventilation opportunities that could help ease your home’s cooling requirements.
BETTER INSULATION Even without providing extra ventilation, a closed replacement window can still help a lot in terms of keeping a home your home comfortable. Newer replacement windows are built to provide better insulation in mind, fitted with the latest in window technology to ensure indoor heat stays in. This stabilizes indoor temperature, lessening strain on your HVAC system so it doesn’t consume power needlessly. As your home cuts back on energy use, the drop should reflect on your electricity bill.
PART 1: HOW DOES WINDOW REPLACEMENT IMPROVE HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY?
BETTER LIGHTING Doesn’t everything look better bathed in natural light? This is why a lot of homeowners are interested in taking advantage of daylighting. Windows are your home’s primary means of letting in natural lighting indoors so they can contribute a lot to the effort. Unfortunately, older windows might not be a lot of help, what withcracked or blurry glass panes getting in the way of letting in as much natural light as possible. Opting for replacement windows with the highest level of visible transmittance possible will let you make the most out of daylighting, lessening the need to use light fixtures during the day. This also lowers electric consumption in your home to improve energy efficiency.
Windows promote energy efficiency by reducing the consumption of electricity in a home, but what enables them to do this exactly? Head on over to the next part to learn more!
PART 2: WHAT MAKES WINDOWS ENERGY-EFFICIENT
Like any other part of the home, windows are loaded with different features, combining form and function to address a host of needs. Energy efficiency, for instance, is brought about by different parts, all contributing to help you optimize energy-use in your home. What are these parts? These include: Weatherstripping A window’s weatherstripping is usually made of rubber or polymer strips that run along the frames. When a window is closed shut, the weatherstripping serves as “filler” that completely closes off gaps between the window sash and the frames, preventing air and moisture from entering the home. High quality weatherstripping can completely eliminate drafts and improve a window’s energy efficiency to save you 10% to 15% in energy costs. Multiple Glazing Glazing refers to the glass used on a window. In the past, windows were traditionally glazed with just a single sheet of glass, and unfortunately, this meant heat transfer easily occurred. Double-glazed windows have now become the standard for many manufacturers, taking advantage of design that introduces space between glazing to curb the transfer of heat from one pane to the other. This cuts back on indoor heat getting out, keeping indoor temperature stable so your heating system doesn’t have to work too hard to keep you comfortable. Gas Fill The space between multi-glazed windows can either be filled with dehydrated air or inert gas like argon. When a gas fill is incorporated into a window, insulation is improved, reducing even more heat from transferring.
PART 2: WHAT MAKES WINDOWS ENERGY-EFFICIENT
Low-E Coating Low-E coatings are designed to keep infrared and ultraviolet light at bay without impeding the level of natural light that a window lets in. As such, outdoor heat stays out while your interiors are protected from fading, all while all the natural light available to you streams in. Low-E coatings improve energy efficiency in two ways: 1) by preventing excessive heat from disrupting indoor temperature in your home; and 2) by limiting your use of electricity during the day because you can harness natural light for illumination. Insulated Frame Better framing materials today have amplified thermal insulating properties in window. Insulated frames resist heat transfer as much as possible, preventing indoor heat from getting out and outdoor heat from getting in. What’s even better about insulated frames is that they didn’t only get a boost in function, what with technologies today also ensuring that framing material are beautiful enough to complement a range of home designs.
In the next part, we’ll be talking about different types of energy-efficient windows to give you a clear idea how each works to help you cut back on your energy use. Read on to learn more!
PART 3: DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS
A big part of making the most out of energy-efficient windows is figuring out what will fit your home’s needs. Not all energy-efficient windows are built equally but all offer benefits you can take advantage of. How do you figure out which one will be best for you? Understanding the different types of energy-efficient windows is a good start. DOUBLE HUNG WINDOWS Double hung windows with insulated frames and multiple glazing are excellent for use in almost any part of the home, but they are most ideal in areas where space constraints will be a problem for hinged windows. They can only offer window openings as big as their sash so they also work well in spots where limited ventilation is required. CASEMENT WINDOWS The casement window’s hinged design requires clearance around the window opening to give it enough space to swing open. Given it can fully open and its sash can be angled to direct air flow, a casement window offers the best kind of ventilation control. It also has unobstructed glass areas, making it great for daylighting.
PART 3: DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS
BAY OR BOW WINDOWS Consisting of multiple smaller windows, bay and bow windows are not just impressive in terms of style, but also great for providing natural lighting, thanks to the large expanse of glass they result in. They are great for bedrooms and living rooms but will work well wherever there’s plenty of wall space to fit them. To control the level of natural light they let in, bay and bow windows can be fitted with window treatments. SLIDING WINDOWS Think of sliding windows as a cross between double hung and casement windows, except they slide horizontally to operate. Sliding windows can range in size and this lets them have larger panes of glass that provide excellent natural lighting. Like double hung windows though, they can only open as big as one of their panels, limiting ventilation a bit.
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We hope this blog series has helped you understand the role of windows in achieving energy efficiency for the home. Should you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local window contractor for assistance.
Renewal by Andersen of Denver and Colorado Springs 1401 W Bayaud Ave #5 Denver, CO 80223 Denver (303) 968-3287 Colorado Springs (719) 313-5403
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