The Energy-Efficient Qualities of Modern Replacement Windows
Homeowners are starting to care about energy efficiency, realizing that energy-efficient products lead to savings on heating and cooling expenses. One of the best ways to start reducing your home’s carbon footprint is to invest in energy-efficient windows. Here’s what makes them beneficial to your home and wallet:
Minimization of Heat Loss
Heat loss occurs in four different ways: conduction, convection, radiation, and air leakage. Whether heat is directly transferred through the glass, is cooled by coming into contact with the glass, leaves as infrared energy, or just plain seeps through the cracks, your windows are responsible for a third of your home’s heating and cooling loss. Gas fillings, low-E coatings, and durable weatherstripping minimize that amount.
Increased Solar Control
Low-E glass coatings—transparent metallic oxides—act as a gatekeeper of energy wave lengths. They reflect the longer energy waves that are felt as heat, and admit the shorter energy waves that produce visible light. They can be applied to either the interior or exterior window panes, depending on whether you live in a hot or cold climate.
Insulated Frames
Uncontrolled leakage of air accounts for 10% of a home’s energy usage. The quality of the materials used to make a window’s frame and the airtightness of its seals determines just how efficient your window is at keeping air from passing through. When it comes to U-value, or the rate of heat loss, the best material for your frames to be made out of is insulated vinyl.
Gas Fillers
Argon and Krypton gas fillers reduce the conductance of air space between window panes. The benefits amount to having a window with a third pane.
To get the ball rolling on replacing your current windows, contact First Choice - Window, Greenwich’s only eco-friendly home remodeler. Call our friendly professionals at (203) 987-3131 or visit our website to schedule an appointment today.
- Loading comments...
