Whether you’re renovating your home or building a new home, installing energy efficient windows is an important step in making your home more energy efficient. By installing energy efficient windows, you will reduce your energy bills and keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
U-Factor
Choosing windows for your home with a low U-Factor can help you save money on your utility bills and reduce the wear and tear on your HVAC system. This is especially important in areas with warm climates. In addition, lower U-factor windows hold more heat inside your home during the cold months.
While the U-Factor is an important measure of energy efficiency, it is not the only one. In fact, you may have a hard time choosing a window with a low U-factor if you do not understand the different factors that are involved.
For instance, your U-factor will depend on the orientation of your window. You will also need to consider the location of your home. If your home is in a warm climate, you may need a low U-factor window to keep your home cool in the summer. In contrast, if your home is located in a cold climate, you may need a window with a high U-factor.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Using energy efficient windows can save you money on your utility bills. They also protect your home and your belongings from UV rays, which can damage your home’s interior.
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is a great way to measure how well your windows will protect your home from the sun’s harmful rays. A low SHGC means that the window will allow less solar heat to enter your home, which can help keep your home warmer during the winter months.
In addition to the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) also rates windows by comparing their U-factor and visible transmittance. The NFRC’s labels are a great resource for consumers looking to make the best window choice.
The NFRC also tests commercial door products. A window that has a high SHGC is more likely to collect solar heat during the winter, so it can be a good choice for homes in northern climates.
Low-emissivity glass
Using Low-emissivity glass for energy efficient windows in your home can help you reduce your energy bills. It can also help you maintain comfortable temperatures inside your home. It blocks harmful UV rays and infrared light and reduces heat transfer.
There are several different types of Low-E glass available, and you can choose the one that best fits your home’s climate. These are made by applying a layer of metallic particles to the glass, which filter out long wavelengths of light.
If you live in a cold climate, you may need to use Low-E glass to help keep your home warm. This can save you money on heating during the winter months. It also helps you to reduce cooling costs during the summer.
These glass coatings can be paired with argon gas, which can increase the amount of insulation and extend the lifespan of the glass. They also improve the temperature of the house by reflecting heat back inside.
Double or triple-paned glass
Whether you are building a new home or updating your current windows, you should consider the benefits of double or triple-paned glass. These energy efficient windows can save you money on your monthly power bills.
The best double paned windows have two panes of glass with an insulating gas. Inert gases such as argon or krypton help to increase the resistance to energy transfer. In addition, they can prevent moisture from building up and causing condensation. These insulating gases also reduce the amount of heat lost from your home.
Triple paned windows have an extra pane of glass, which serves as a good insulating barrier. These windows can be made with a low-energy glass, which is designed to reflect sunlight and prevent heat buildup.
Another energy efficient window feature is a low-energy glaze. The glaze helps to keep more heat inside your home, reducing your monthly power bill. Unlike most windows, this glaze is infused with a metallic oxide layer that suppresses radiative heat flow.
Spacers
Choosing the best spacers for installing energy efficient windows in your home can make a huge difference in your energy efficiency. The right spacers for windows not only help to decrease heat transfer and condensation, but also increase the strength of the window panes. These small pieces of metal, plastic, or rubber are installed to separate the panes of glass in a window.
The spacers for windows help create a tight seal between the panes of glass, so there’s no heat transfer or condensation. In addition, they’re designed to prevent the loss of special low-conductance gases. These gases help increase the energy efficiency of the windows. However, if the spacers aren’t providing an enduring seal, your energy efficiency will decrease.
Metal spacers are typically made from aluminum or stainless steel. These spacers are the strongest types. They also pass heat and cold easily, which helps to improve the overall thermal efficiency of the window. However, they’re also more susceptible to sealant failure, which can result in condensation between the panes.