By Paul Palumbo
Almost everyone is looking for ways to reduce the cost of heating and cooling their homes, like adding programmable thermostats, installing ceiling fans, changing the filters, and yelling at the kids to shut the door. While all these things will make a difference, most people don’t realize how much their old windows may be contributing to their sky-high utility costs. With technological advancements, replacement windows have reached a whole new level of energy efficiency, saving major cash on utility bills, and adding value to your home by making it more comfortable, quiet, and attractive.
Just looking at your current windows can help you see whether they need replacing. If they’re single-pane, made from wood or aluminum, have lost their seal (look foggy), are rotting, broken, or just don’t work well anymore, you should look into replacing them. Sometimes, it’s what you can’t see that makes a difference. Window performance is more complex than most people realize; R-value, Low-E coatings, U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain coefficient… you may feel like you need a physics degree to figure it all out! There are many different types of energy efficient models and options to choose from. Here are some important features to consider.
Type of Glass
Since 80 percent of a window is made of glass, a substantial amount of heating and cooling savings comes from improved glass performance. A Low-emissivity (Low-E) coating is a microscopically thin, virtually invisible layer of metal or metallic oxide that is put directly on the surface of one or more of the panes of glass to control the transfer of heat. Low-E will filter out the long wave radiation from the sun, reducing the heat gain from the sun in the summer to keep your home cooler. In winter, Low-E glass takes on a new duty letting warm solar rays into your home while blocking the heat from radiating/seeping out.
Layers of Glass
You want 2 or 3 layers of glass, preferably insulated with Argon, an inert gas, rather than air alone. Since insulated glass units expand and contract with temperature changes, it is important to consider how the glass unit is held together. The durability of insulating glass units is critical to window energy performance. In conventional insulated glass, the sealant that holds it together takes the stress of this flexing, causing the seal to fail. Newer designs incorporate edge spacers instead of the sealant to resist movement and premature failure while also keeping the edges warmer and more comfortable to the touch in winter.
Energy Efficiency
Be sure that windows have the ENERGY STAR designation. This is a government benchmark to qualify for the federal tax credit. Yes – the government will give you money to replace your windows! The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has a voluntary program that tests, certifies, and labels windows based on their energy performance ratings. The NFRC label provides a reliable way to determine a window’s energy properties and to compare products.
Installation
Perhaps the most important factor in how well new windows perform is quality installation. Using the same company for both purchase and installation helps ensure a tight fit, prevent drafts, and avoid water condensation. The most expensive, energy-efficient windows mean nothing if they are not installed properly.
Window choice has a real impact on heating and cooling costs. The amount you save will depend on many factors including the weather, what type of window you choose and the state of the old windows. It makes sense to improve your home for the long term while you can enjoy the beauty and energy savings now!
For more information, contact Window World of Bloomington, 1716 RT Dunn Dr., at 309-827-5237. They are locally owned by Paul Palumbo. Window World is the largest replacement window company in the country with over 238 stores nationwide and one million windows sold a year! All of their windows have a lifetime transferable warranty on labor and material at a guaranteed low price.
Photo credit: Suljo/iStock, laughingmango/iStock