The data is here, the numbers are in: heating and cooling your home is, and will become, more expensive. Look at how much your National Grid bill jumped in February!! You know you need to save money on your energy bill, and you know that modern windows can help, but where do you start? Here are some specific questions that people ask about the new generation of energy efficient windows:
Never have energy efficient windows played such an important role in making up the difference between saving and spending. Let’s take a closer look at Energy Star windows and low-e glazing so you can decide how you can save next winter.
In the image to the left (from an Energy Star PDF on Qualified Windows), you’ll see that the anatomy of an energy efficient window consists of 5 things in particular. Ultimately these 5 things work together to determine the u-value. The u-value is a way to measure a window’s energy efficiency and to qualify for an Energy Star rating, a window must be tested and verified with Energy Star’s requirements.
Frames are an integral part of attaining a good u-value. Frames come in a variety of makes:
Before we go into low-e glazing or low-e coating, getting a grasp on the “light spectrum” will put things into perspective. Aside from Visible Light, which we consciously experience, there are many other forms of light. Two of these forms have a direct effect on your home’s interior – ultraviolet and infrared light.
The benefit of low-e glazes (or low emissivity glazes) is that the panes have been optimized to minimize the amount of UV and IR light that passes through the glass of modern windows. This has to be done in a way that does not hinder the amount of visible light that shines through. These glazes are efficient, as they reduce the amount of absorption, reflection, and emission that happens when energy takes its natural routes: heat out of your home in the winter, heat into your home during the summer.
Clearly, there are many advantages to these energy efficient replacement windows to help you reduce heating costs and improve the value of your home. For more information on windows/doors, consult our projects page or contact us with your questions in mind!