Replacing old windows is a great way to add curb appeal, but it also improves your home’s energy efficiency. This saves you money on your utility bills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Your HVAC system won’t have to work so hard in the summer and winter to keep your home comfortable. Modern insulated windows prevent conditioned air from escaping your home and also block out harmful UV rays.
Low-E Glass
Low-E glass is a type of window that has a microscopic coating that reflects radiant heat away from the home. The coating prevents a large amount of UV radiation from entering the home, as well. This will keep your family and furnishings safe, and it will reduce the fading of colors on carpets and other fabrics that are often exposed to sunlight.
This type of glass also reflects infrared rays that can help to keep the building cool in warmer weather, and it blocks warm air from escaping through the windows in the winter. The Low-E glass can be found in double pane windows, and it is most effective when used with argon gas between the two layers of glass.
The additional investment of replacing standard windows with double-pane windows with Low-E and argon gas may require a bit more money upfront, but it will quickly pay for itself in the energy costs that are saved year-round. In addition, a homeowner that has Low-E windows may qualify for rebates and tax credits from local governments or utility companies for energy efficiency improvements.
Argon Gas
Argon gas is used as a filler for the space between glass panes in double or triple pane windows. This colorless, odorless, nonreactive insulator helps to reduce heat transfer and significantly improves your home’s energy efficiency.
It is most often used in conjunction with a low-emissivity coating to improve the U-value of your window. A higher U-value means that your windows are less likely to transfer unwanted heat in the summer and cold air in the winter.
Argon is inexpensive and readily available. It is also odorless and non-toxic, making it the ideal filler for your home’s windows. It does not form compounds with other substances and it dissipates rapidly in well-ventilated areas. It is a noble gas and one of the least reactive gases in existence (5).
Warm-Edge Technology
Windows are one of the biggest sources of energy loss in homes. They let in unwanted outdoor temperatures and require your air conditioner or heater to work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. This results in higher electricity bills and a larger carbon footprint.
Traditional aluminum spacer bars are highly conductive and allow heat to escape through the window edge. The Bieber warm edge super spacer is much less conductive and helps to minimize energy loss.
This energy efficient technology reduces your heating and cooling costs by allowing you to maintain a more consistent indoor temperature without having to work your windows as hard. This lowers your energy usage and helps to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, which can contribute to climate change. It also means your home will be more environmentally friendly. This is especially important if you live in a city like Birmingham that depends on fossil fuels for power generation.
Energy Star Certification
Energy-efficient windows help reduce those peak cooling and heating loads, which are a major factor in your energy bills. In addition to the lower costs associated with these upgrades, they also benefit the environment by reducing carbon emissions.
ENERGY STAR certification is an EPA program that promotes sustainability for both residential and commercial buildings. It offers free tools such as Portfolio Manager and the ENERGY STAR Product Finder, which enable building owners to identify and compare efficient products.
The ENERGY STAR certified products include a wide variety of appliances, such as windows, doors, and skylights. It also includes products like lightbulbs, refrigerators, and servers.
When shopping for new windows, choose a company that caters to eco-conscious consumers. For example, Window World in Birmingham has a large selection of energy-efficient options, including Low-E glass and argon gas insulation. Its window installation services are competitively priced and provide homeowners with a range of customization options, including frame color and style.