Energy Saving Windows
The prevalent green consciousness that is sweeping the world has seen many householders look for ways that they can save on energy usage in the home. It just so happens that windows happen to be one of the great energy wasters in any house. It has been estimated that up to 20% of heat loss is through poorly insulated window frames and single glazed windows. And heat loss isn’t the only concern when it comes to windows as they can also let in heat during the summer which can increase the cost of running an air conditioner. This page will tackle the subject of energy saving windows and how the right window selection can save on your ongoing energy costs.
If you live in a cold climate then you are obviously going to want windows that keep warm air trapped inside your house. The best way to reduce heat loss via your windows is with double glazing. With double glazing, air is trapped between two planes of glass which acts as an insulating barrier reducing heat loss, noise and condensation. This effect can be enhanced by using a special inert gas between the windows as well as placing a low emissivity (low-e) coating on the glass to reduce heat loss. These types of windows can reduce your heating bill by $160-$200 a year.
If you can’t afford to replace all your windows with double glazed windows then you could consider only replacing those windows in the rooms which cost the most to heat, such as the living room. Doing this will at least allow you to cut down on the heat lost through windows by about a half. The challenge for those living in warmer climates is different as they are looking at windows which are going to keep heat out which will in turn lead to lower energy usage via air conditioners. To prevent your windows from overheating during the summer, the window glass can be treated with a reflective coating that reduces interior temperatures. It should be noted that this type of coating is not suitable for cold climates as you’d want your windows to be acting as a source of winter heat during sunny days. The good news is that a lot of the work as to whether or not a window is energy efficient or not has already been done for you. Most window manufactures will now voluntarily submit their windows for energy efficiency accreditation. In Britain, the British Fenestration Rating Council’s (BFRC) domestic window energy rating scheme (WER) helps consumers readily compare the energy efficiency of competing products using a recogonisable grade that everyone can understand – the higher the BFRC rating then the more thermally efficient the window. In the United States, the ENERGY STAR ratings provide the same sort of information. Investing in energy saving windows is a great idea for both new and older homes. The windows do cost a bit more than conventional windows but the savings in your utility bills will make up the difference in a few years – and you will also be taking an active step towards reducing your carbon footprint.
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