You’ve probably heard numerous times that installing new windows is a great home improvement project to help with energy efficiency. Windows also provide an aesthetic upgrade and help control the comfort in your home by eliminating drafts. Plus of course, reducing drafts helps lower your energy loss which improves utility bills.
To get the major return on investment of a new window installation however determines the condition of your existing windows. If you are going from old, single-paned windows or replacing windows where the insulating gas has leaked out, you are going to see very significant energy savings. If you are upgrading from double-paned windows to triple-paned windows, your investment might take longer to pay off.
What Makes a Window Energy Efficient?
If you and your Minneapolis window contractor determined that your existing windows are leading to a significant source of energy loss and there are no repairs that can be made to improve the condition – you will be pleased with the results that energy efficient replacement windows can bring. There is a reason why modern windows are better in every way than their predecessor – some of which include:
Window Glass
The glass of your windows are the biggest source of energy loss. Heated or cooled air will always gravitate to the opposite atmosphere – aka outside your home. Air just seeps out inferior glass because there is literally no insulating properties except for maybe some blinds or a curtain. Energy efficient windows not only contain two or even three different panes that the air must travel through, they also have protective coatings.
Innovative window coatings are an added protective barrier against the sun and UV rays. These coatings are optimally designed to reflect certain UV wavelengths while allowing others to enter. This means your home is protected from sun absorption and fading in the summer, but allows in warmth and natural sunlight in the winter.
Insulating Gas
In addition to having multiple panes of glass, new windows can also feature an insulating gas pumped between them. This argon gas further helps to reduce air flow and retain heated or cooled air. This will improve the R-value of your windows as a whole and will have the added advantage of supplying increased soundproofing qualities.
Window Frame Material
What window material you choose not only helps determine the exterior aesthetics of your house, it also supplies some thermal properties. Wood has thermal advantages but also requires maintenance. Vinyl is more budget friendly, but can also expand and contract with climate changes creating gaps and energy loss. Contact our window specialists for more information about the pros and cons of each frame material.
Proper Installation
Finally, it does matter who installs your windows if you want to optimize energy efficiency. Windows out of level may not open all the way or close completely and you want to minimize excess gaps around the window to prevent air loss. Proper insulation is not just about the window, but the insulation surrounding it as well as the trim and finish on the window.
Contact Snap Construction® if you’re ready to go forward with replacing old windows and take the next step toward a more energy efficient home.