Installing energy-efficient windows and doors in your home is a smart move. There are plenty of reasons for this, though the most important is the protection they offer you and your family from harsh weather conditions. These windows also improve the energy efficiency of your home.
While efficient windows sound like a reasonable investment, there are some essential aspects to know about. In this post, we will share valuable insights on the benefits of installing energy-efficient windows and how these will affect the overall thermal performance of your house.
Factors that Affect Energy Efficiency
In general, there are three key factors that affect the energy efficiency of any window. Understanding them will help you establish whether a given window option has been made up to standard or not.
The U and R Values
The U-factor of a window or door refers to how slow or fast it conducts heat that’s not from the sun. for windows, the U-factor represents the glazing. You want a product that has a low U-factor as it represents better energy efficiency.
On the other hand, the R-factor refers to the insulating properties of the window. It often goes hand in hand with the U-factor, and it indicates how well the window maintains heat in your home. Glazing is a major contributor to the R-value, and it can be improved with additional panes. The higher the R-value, the higher the energy efficiency.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
This refers to the fraction of heat from the sun that is admitted to your home through the windows by absorption, which ultimately enters the room as heat. A low SHGC figure means that less heat from the sun will be transmitted to your house through the windows, and vice versa. It also means that the climatic conditions of your location will determine the SHGC of the windows you should get.
Energy Efficiency Standard
An energy-efficient window or door should also comply with some industry standards, mostly the Energy Star. Energy Star is a national organization that tests doors, windows, and other home appliances and sets a standard for each product. For a window to get an Energy Star rating, it has to meet standards such as:
- It has to be manufactured by an Energy Star Partner
- It has to be certified, tested, and verified independently by the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council)
- It should have an energy rating that meets the efficiency guidelines.
An Energy Star certification helps make life easier when looking to buy something for your home. It uses thermal test results from the NFRC to help consumers compare the performance of the product through various ratings, including the U-factor, the SGHC, visible transmittance, air leakage, and condensation resistance.
Energy Star certified doors and windows will assure you of the following:
- Lower bills
- Energy savings along with reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Increased comfort with more consistent temperatures and fewer drafts
- Your floors and furnishings are protected from UV damage thanks to low emission coatings
- Peace of mind knowing the doors and windows will perform as labeled
How Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows Can Benefit Your Home
Now that you have a good background understanding of what energy-efficient windows are and how they work, let’s look at ways they can benefit your home.
We all know that when it comes to saving money around your home, even the smallest of changes can have a huge impact on your monthly expenses. Just as no one likes throwing away groceries, you wouldn’t want to throw money out of the window. And if your house doesn’t have energy-efficient doors and windows, you are literally throwing money out of the window!
Older doors and windows are some of the primary offenders of hot and cold air loss in homes. This means that if your air conditioner is constantly running throughout summer and your furnace is running non-stop during winter, your doors and windows are likely not as energy-efficient as they should be.
The following are some of the benefits of installing energy-efficient windows in your home:
Better Protection from UV Rays
Regular windows allow more sunlight to enter your home and don’t protect you from the dangers of UV rays. UV is known to be damaging to cloth, wood, and furniture, not to mention being more problematic to light-sensitive individuals.
Energy-efficient windows are usually made with a special coating that helps to block or reduce UV rays. The coating can bloc up to 98% of the rays to ensure that you won’t see any deterioration or fading in your home.
Increased Insulation
Energy-efficient doors and windows help to keep homes cool in the summer and warm during winter. More than 40% of the heating and cooling energy used in a home can be lost through the doors and windows. Making sure that your windows meet the Energy Star rating for your climate zone is essential if you want to keep your home comfortable during both summer and winter.
Plus, you don’t have to rely too much on your air conditioning and heating systems as much, especially during seasons where indoor temperatures constantly vary. Lower energy consumption means using less fuel, making your home more environmentally friendly.
Noise Protection
If you live in a busy area, you might be forced to constantly deal with noise on a daily basis. Energy-efficient doors and windows can help you experience the peace you crave while in the comfort of your home. Most people aren’t aware that most of these windows have soundproofing capabilities.
Lower Maintenance
Energy-efficient windows greatly reduce condensation buildup compared to traditional windows, as energy transfer is minimized. This lowers the risk of mold growth, and UV protection helps prevent water spots and dirt build-up, saving you hours of cleaning time.
ROI Through Resale Value
Replacing old windows with energy-efficient ones can generate great returns on investment (ROI) in both the long and the short terms. In fact, this is often listed as one of the top five home improvement projects that can generate the greatest ROI. Plus, if you are planning on selling your home, upgrading your windows could help to not only raise its value but also help it sell quicker.
If You Want to Learn More About Updating Your Windows and Doors to Be More Energy Efficient, Call America’s Best Choice Today!
The world is increasingly moving towards energy conservation, slowly, but surely. The best way to save money on your energy bills is by ensuring your home is as energy-efficient as possible. America’s Best Choice is your go-to solution for doors, windows, siding, roofing, and more! Our trustworthy home improvement experts will help you from when you are deciding your needs through installation. We can also make repairs. Call your nearest location today!
