WHAT ARE THE BEST WINDOW OPTIONS FOR MAXIMIZING ENERGY EFFICIENCY?

Your windows contribute a lot of energy loss from your home. About 40% of the annual heating and cooling costs result from the energy lost through windows, particularly the damaged and drafty windows. Select Glass and Windows has worked with hundreds of homeowners and business owners around the Washington, DC Metropolitan area over the last 20 plus years to help them maximize the energy efficiency of their windows. That knowledge and experience were leveraged to put together this guide to help you understand how you can maximize your energy efficiency.

There are a number of options when it comes to improving the energy efficiency of your home or business’s window, but there are two main options: repair or replace. You can improve your home’s energy efficiency by installing more energy-efficient windows. Alternatively, you can make your existing windows energy-efficient and enjoy their many benefits! Energy-efficient windows not only make your home comfortable throughout the year but also help you cut costs.

THE BEST WINDOW OPTIONS TO MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY

If you’re looking to capitalize on energy efficiency at home, it’s best to consider energy-efficient windows having two or more glass panes. On top of that, they should have a frame surrounding them. The preferred material for the frame should be wood, PVC, or any other material, which is a poor conductor of heat.

Some of the best energy-efficient window options with these qualities include:

Double-glazed windows
These have two sheets of glass and a 16mm gap between them filled with air or inert gas.
Triple-glazed windows
They have three sheets of glass and two holes.
Casement windows
They are the most energy-efficient style of windows available. These windows are easy to open, unlike most other designs that stay closed. Also, casement windows offer a high energy efficiency thanks to their design and the strong seals on all four sides.

HOW CAN YOU MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR YOUR WINDOWS?

There are many ways to maximize energy efficiency for your windows to cut your utility costs and keep your home comfortable including:

1. INSTALLING FORM FILLED FRAMES

Having form-filled boundaries and adding sashes minimizes the thermal conduction of the frame. Be sure to ask your window manufacturer to offer you foam-filled frames and sash extrusions that make your window more energy efficient.

2. USING THE RIGHT TYPE OF GLASS

Some types of glass are better at preventing heat transfer than others. So select a glass that minimizes thermal transfer to ensure your window is energy-efficient. Some of the best glasses include;

Solabran 70XL window glass
Super Spacer window glass
Energy saver R-5 window glass
Double pane Extreme LOW-E window glass
Ultimate triple-pane glass

To learn more about energy-efficient types of glass, click here to read the Energy Department’s guide on energy-efficient window glass.

3. GOOD INSTALLATION

You have to get the installation right if you want your home to be completely energy-efficient. Even if your windows are energy-efficient, they will still leak air and be useless if you install them ineffectively. So only look for a reputable home contractor to install your windows.

4. HAVING LOW EMISSIVITY GLASS COATING

Installing windows with low emissivity glass coating will help reflect heat and maintain the interior cooling effect during the hot summer periods. In winter, it reflects the cold temperatures from outside and maintains warm indoor temperatures.

Besides regulating the temperature in your home, low emissivity coats block UV rays that can fade your soft home furnishings like curtains, carpets, sofa, and drapes.

5. MULTIPLE PANES OF GLASS

Double pane glass provides your windows with inert gas insulation, which is twice as effective as single-pane windows.

Triple pane glass, on the other, is an even better insulator than double plane glass. They offer you more insulation, reduce the U factor of your window, and improve the general efficiency of your windows.

6. ENERGY-STAR CERTIFIED REPLACEMENT WINDOWS

Using energy-efficient windows that are certified to meet ENERGY STAR® guidelines will likely cut your energy bills.

A family in the Bluemont neighborhood recently looked to replace all the windows in their older home in Arlington off North George Mason Drive near Bon Air Park Rose Garden with newer more energy-efficient windows. They chose to go with triple pane energy star certified windows to get the maximum benefit for their family in the 22205 zip code.

MAKE YOUR WINDOWS ENERGY-EFFICIENT WITHOUT REPLACING THEM

If you have an old home where most windows are not energy-efficient, you can still make the windows energy-efficient without replacing them. Below are a few ways to go about it:

Installing double glazing. This type of window has two layers of glass separated by a layer of air, which prevents thermal transfer. You can add a layer of glass to your current window to make it double glazing.
Upgrading the window frames, which is cheaper compared to replacing the entire window.
Installing window film makes your windows, even more, energy-efficient. Window films add an extra layer to the window, which minimizes the effects of conduction and convection. To learn more about window film click here.
Seal the gaps between the windows and walls to prevent heat transfer.
Buy upgraded window coverings to help in blocking the drafts and maintaining a comfortable home.

IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS

Installing energy windows has innumerable benefits not just to your home but also to the environment at large. Some of these benefits include:

SAVE YOU MONEY

If your window is energy efficient, the air conditioner won’t be overworked. This means you’ll reduce its maintenance and operational cost, which ultimately saves you money.

SAVING THE PLANET

With energy-efficient windows, you use less power for warming and cooling and reduce your carbon footprint.

BRING MORE COMFORT TO YOUR HOME

Energy-efficient windows will make your home maintain constant indoor temperature, making the stay comfortable. They also prevent conditioned air from escaping the house and reduce heat transfer in both directions.

In the Seminary Hill neighborhood of Alexandria near Episcopal High School in a couple was having trouble with energy escaping their home and inconsistent temperatures throughout the house. They choose to have some of their windows replaced and others repaired to ensure the problems of heat transfer and inconsistent temps in their home off North Howard St in the 22302 zip code were solved.

ARE YOU READY TO MAXIMIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY?

To ascertain if your windows are energy efficient, compare the temperature from some other part of the room to that of the windows. If the measurements differ, then the windows are leaking and should be fixed.

If you’re looking to install energy-efficient windows and make your home comfortable, this guide will help you pick the right window for your home.

WHAT IS THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FROM INSTALLING ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS

Americans everywhere are moving into new homes or renovating those they already live in. For a number of reasons, not least of all the pandemic, the housing market and housing renovations have exploded in recent years.

One of the most important renovations on the list for many Americans pertains to windows. Replacing old windows with those that are energy efficient has a bevy of benefits for your house, including a cheaper energy bill, better insulation, and improved curb appeal. If you’re wondering what the return on investment is for energy-efficient windows, you’ve come to the right place.

A commercial property company in the 22315 zip code recently got these questions answered when it was looking to replace the windows on its property off South Van Dorn Street. Its office building in the Kingstone area of Franconia near Greendale Golf Course had windows that were 20 years old. The company was looking to sell the property and wanted to measure if replacing the windows would be a good investment prior to selling. After doing the research, they decided the new windows would be a great selling point.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR NEW ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS

First and foremost, the return on investment for new windows is dependent on a number of factors. For example, where you live and what type of window frame you choose will greatly impact the resale value of your house. The number of windows you choose will also impact your bottom line, so it’s important to think about these details before making your selection.

On average, however, when computed with the entire nation in mind, energy-efficient windows often see an astounding seventy percent return on investment, a substantial figure. Replacing windows is not the only option you have if your current windows aren’t up to snuff, however.

REPAIRING WINDOWS VS. REPLACING WINDOWS

Even if you’re adamant about replacing many of the windows in your house, you may not have to replace all of them. In fact, you can repair a number of windows in your house to save money in the short term and create the same curb appeal as fully replacing windows.

If the framing of your old windows is still in good condition, you may be able to purchase retro-fit windows which fit into their original openings. You’ll still need to replace the sashes, side jambs, and trim, but this process will be much easier and far less costly than replacing the entire window. Retro-fit windows are less energy efficient though, which is a dealbreaker for many.

COSTS OF A WINDOW REPLACEMENT

The cost of a window replacement can vary significantly because of the differences in region, window types, and energy efficiency. On average, the cost of replacing a window can run anywhere from two hundred to seven hundred dollars. Most of this gap in price exists because of the variety of frame materials you have to choose from.

Aluminum frames, for example, are more affordable but don’t offer the energy efficiency or resale value of higher quality material, such as fiberglass or wood. Before you make the final decision for your home, you’ll want to decide which types of windows you want and which features you’re going to need.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS ARE WORTH THE COST

The decision to replace your windows with those that are energy efficient holds many benefits. First, you’ll save a substantial amount on your energy bills, as your A/C and heating systems won’t work nearly as hard to keep your house temperate and comfortable.

New home buyers will hold this fact in consideration when you’re trying to sell, and the curb appeal will also be greatly improved. If you live in a state or city with high energy costs, the savings between low and high-energy-efficient windows can be mind-boggling.

A few years ago a family in the Lake Barcroft area of Fairfax choose to replace the windows in their home in the 22044 zip code with new energy-efficient windows. In just a few years they have seen a significant reduction in their heating and cooling costs for their property off Sleepy Hollow Rd near Barcroft Knolls Park.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

The most important benefits in replacing your windows are cost and resale value, but there are many more reasons to replace your windows. You’ll also be leaving a smaller carbon footprint which is great for the planet, in addition to feeling more comfortable within your house during all months of the year.

The lighting and noise from the outside will be drastically reduced, which will help keep you cool and peaceful even at the brightest or loudest points of the day. During cooler months, frost and condensation will be reduced, and the furniture in your house will be less likely to fade because of heating and light from outside.

REMEMBER THE ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS FUNDAMENTALS

If you choose to replace your windows, always remember to hire the right contractor for the job. Those who lose money on new window installations do so because they don’t do their due diligence when it comes to their choice of contractor. If you’re currently in the market for a contractor, you can trust Select Glass and Windows to do it right the first time. We have the expertise and experience you need for a proper install job with minimal time and complications.

A great window installation takes professionalism and patience, and Selection Glass and Windows possess both of these qualities in spades. You can also take recommendations from friends or choose to look online for contractors who come highly rated. Either way, don’t rush the process; high-quality, energy-efficient window installation takes skill and time.

If you’d like to learn more about the different types of glass available for your home and business, here’s an excellent guide on safety glass and how it can protect your home or business.