Households use 21.8% of the energy consumed in the US. By making improvements in your home to increase energy efficiency, you can save up to 30% of your energy bills. One way to increase energy efficiency in your home is through the installation of energy-efficient windows. Windows account for 30% of residential energy use.
Doing a windows replacement will not only enhance the appearance of your home but also save on energy. Decisions on the material of window frame to use, type of glass to use for your windows, and treatment can promote green living. Here is how you can have energy-efficient windows.
Choose Frames that Can Make Your Windows Energy Efficient
Frames have an impact on the thermal resistance of your windows, and consequently, their energy efficiency.
- Aluminum Frames
Aluminum frames are loved for their durability and low maintenance. However, they are not energy efficient. They are poor insulators. However, you can give them a thermal break to reduce heat flow. That is, placing a plastic material both outside and inside the frame.
- Fiberglass
Using a fiberglass frame for your windows can prevent your home from heating up. 87% of the heat in your house is gained through your windows. Fiberglass has air cavities, which provide insulation. A fiberglass frame will regulate the amount of energy lost and the heat gained in your house.
- Vinyl
Vinyl frames have UV stabilizers, which makes them good insulators. They have warm-edge spacers and are foam-enhanced, which enhances its insulating properties.
Wood frames are also energy efficient. However, if you are looking for low-maintenance frames, they are not the best choice.
Energy-Efficient Glass for Windows
Apart from frames, glass affects the energy efficiency of your home. Different glass technologies are used to increase their insulating capabilities. Here are glass options that can promote green living.
- Insulated Glass
These are windows that are made of multiple panes. They are usually two. The panes are spaced apart and made airtight. This makes the airspace left insulated. With that, the glass reduces the rate at which it conducts non-heat flow. More so, this technology lowers the fraction of solar radiation permitted through a window.
- Gas-filled glass
Argon gas is blown into windows to increase their energy efficiency. This gas is blown into three panes of glass, which are hermetically sealed. This gas reduces the rate of heat transfer through your windows. This technology has several benefits. It enhances the thermal transmittance of your windows, reduces heat exchange through the windows, and prevents condensation and frost.
Gas in windows makes them soundproof and also makes them durable as it prevents corrosion.
- Low-E Glass
Using low-E glass for your home renovation can improve energy efficiency. Low emissivity glass reduces the amount of UV light or radiation that comes through your glass. Low-E glass is made with a thin coating that reflects heat. This way, the temperature in your house is kept constant. There are different types of low E-glass, and they are suitable for different climates.
If you live in a cold climate, the lard coat low-E glass would be a suitable option. It allows some heat energy into your house, helping to keep it warm. The thin coat used to make this glass reflects heat into your home.
The other alternative is the soft coat low-E glass, which is most suitable for homes in hot to cold climates. It is characterized by a high U value and UV protection. The soft coat prevents heat from leaking outside your house by reflecting it into your home.
Treatment to Give Your Windows to Make Them Energy Efficient
There are treatments given to windows useful in saving energy. They include:
- Weatherstripping
During window installation, you can seal openings in your windows to increase insulation. Weatherstripping protects your home from elements such as rain and cold. Triple stripping of your windows prevents the transfer of both heat and cold. Also, it enhances the soundproof characteristics of your windows.
- Foam-Filling Your Frames
Windows in most homes have hollow cavities. This allows the transfer of cold and heat, in and out of your home, reducing energy efficiency. Injecting foam into the hollow cavities can help you reduce energy bills. It reduces the rate of transfer of sound, heat, and cold. Also, it can increase the life of your windows by preventing sagging.
Lack of proper insulation in your home can be costly. Most energy in homes is lost through the walls and windows because they take up a large surface area. You can make your home energy efficient by choosing the right windows. Vinyl, Fiberglass, and aluminum frames with a thermal break can control the transfer of heat in your house.
Low-E glass, insulated, and gas-filled glass makes energy-efficient windows. Choose the right windows and reduce energy bills.
