Upgrading your windows to energy-efficient ones helps keep out the summer heat and locks in the cool air conditioning. It also saves money on your energy bills each month and reduces your carbon footprint.
High-performance ENERGY STAR certified windows have a quality frame and glass that deflects solar heat, regulates temperature and saves energy. They also have a low air leakage rating.
Low-E Glass
Low-E glass is a type of window pane that has been treated to limit how much heat passes through it. This is accomplished through a microscopic coating of silver, zinc or indium tin oxide. This coating causes infrared and ultraviolet radiation to be reflected, but visible light is still allowed through.
The coating also helps to prevent the penetration of damaging UV rays, which can cause carpets, furniture, drapes and paint to fade. This can save you a lot of money in the long run, especially with high humidity levels.
The only downside is that, because the metallic coatings reflect some of the visible light, the windows can have a slight haze to them, which might not be ideal for all homes. Fortunately, there are some workarounds like using awnings and shades to lessen this effect. Regardless, the overall benefits of the window are impressive. They can help reduce heating and cooling costs, protect furniture from sun fading and even contribute to a healthier indoor environment.
Insulated Glass Units (IGUs)
IGUs are combinations of two or more glass window panes sealed together with a space filled with air or gas. The space between the panes helps prevent heat loss in winter and allows cool air to circulate in summer.
IGU windows are available with a variety of different glass types, coatings and gas fills to achieve a desired energy performance. Properly designed double- and triple-glazed IG units with low-emissivity coatings on both surfaces, argon or other inert gas fills in the spaces between, and insulating frames can achieve R-values as high as R-24.
A key component of IGUs is the spacer, which separates the glass and acts as a critical barrier that retains the gas mixture within the IGU, and keeps moisture out. The spacer also houses desiccant, a small granule that absorbs and holds water vapor to help reduce condensation and promote long service life. The spacer is often coated with a durable polyurethane warm-edge sealant such as Vitro’s Super Spacer, which is less conductive than aluminum and slows the transfer of heat to the frame to improve insulating performance.
Spacers
Windows make a significant contribution to home energy costs, which is why installing new ones that are highly efficient can greatly reduce them. However, it can be difficult to know where to start. A window replacement expert can help homeowners navigate the process and select a style that meets their needs. They can also help choose options with a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), which can prevent the sun’s infrared or ultraviolet rays from heating a home.
Older windows can allow warm air to escape and cool air to leak in, resulting in high energy bills throughout the year. Upgrading them with efficient windows can save Wauchula homeowners $423 per year on energy costs.
Weatherstripping
The little cracks and spaces around your doors and windows can cause cold air to escape in the winter, and warm air to enter in the summer. These leaks can add up to a significant amount of your heating and cooling costs.
By installing weather stripping, you can make your home more energy efficient. It is a simple, low-cost fix that can be done on your own. There are several different types of weather stripping, including felt, foam, and vinyl. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Felt is inexpensive, but it can become damaged by moisture and wears down quickly. Foam is also inexpensive, but it may not be suitable for high traffic areas. Vinyl is more expensive than foam, but it is durable and lasts longer.
Installing weather stripping can help you save money on your energy bills by eliminating drafts and reducing the amount of heat lost in your home. You can use it around windows and doors, or in any other area where you feel a draft.