With summer right around the corner, keeping the heat out of your home sounds like an appealing topic. So, what are energy-efficient windows, and how can they benefit you?
Read further to learn more!
What are energy-efficient windows?
The pane of glass on an average window doesn’t do much to keep heat or cold inside your home.
So, what distinguishes an energy-efficient window from your average window?
An energy-efficient window is a low emissivity window coating made from nearly invisible metallic oxides on the glass pane that suppresses the radiant heat flow throughout the window.
Energy-efficient windows will keep your home comfortable, and your essential heating and cooling cost down. They can even raise the resale value of your home.
Types of efficiency ratings
It’s not as simple as going to the store and purchasing one. You’ll need to know which type of window works best for your situation.
Here’s a breakdown of energy performance windows:
- U-factor: The lower the number, the more energy-efficient the window is. Look for a window with a U-factor of 0.30 or lower.
- Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC): This measures how well a window blocks heat from sunlight.
- Air leakage: This rating measures how much air passes through the joints of a window. The lower the rating, the less leakage occurs.
- Visible transmittance: In this case, a higher number is essential. Visible transmittance measures how much light a window lets through. And it’s ideal for getting as much as possible.
- Condensation resistance: This measures how well the window resists water buildup. A higher rating indicates less water buildup.
- R-value: This indicates the resistance of the material to heat flow. The higher the number, the better.
- Energy rating: This measures the balance between the U-factor, SHGC, and air leakage.
Alternatives to replacing your windows
Yes, energy-efficient windows can help you save money, but completely replacing your windows might not be in the cards right now.
Apply a low-E coating to your existing windows, which can improve their energy efficiency.
Another option is window treatments such as natural blinds and insulated curtains.
Everyone wants to keep the cool air in and hot air out when summer comes along. Inspect your windows’ current energy efficiency and make changes accordingly.