preview

Essay On Energy Replacement Windows

Decent Essays
Open Document

4 Tips For Buying Energy-Efficient Replacement Windows

If the windows in your home are old and drafty, the right replacement windows can make a big difference in your home's energy efficiency. The end result of improved efficiency is lower monthly power bills. A lower power bill sounds great, but the new windows you have installed must be energy efficient models for that to happen. Here's a look at how to shop for windows when energy efficiency is the goal.

Look for Multiple Panes

The most energy efficient windows have multiple panes of glass. The more panes, the more the windows cost. You'll need to find the sweet spot between energy savings and your budget to choose the best windows for you. Windows with multiple panes are more …show more content…

This value lets you know how well the glass reflects the sun and prevents heat gain. A low rating means a lower amount of heating from the sun occurs through the window. Lower is better if your primary concern is keeping a room cool. If you want to heat the room with the sun, then higher would be better.

Another rating you may find on the window is for Visible Transmittance. This value indicates how much natural light the window glass allows to pass through. If you want more natural light, choose a window with a Visible Transmittance ranking high on the scale. A high rating could also mean you'll use less artificial lighting and in a roundabout way save energy costs by using fewer lights.

Check Insulation Values

Windows are rated by how well they insulate taking into account the materials used in the frame construction, the number of panes, and glass treatments. The ratings are labeled as the U-factor and R-value. The U-factor reflects how much heat can escape through the window. A lower number is better because that means the window holds heat inside the room better during the winter. The R-value is the opposite. It reflects how well the window resists heat transfer. So in this case, a higher number is better because it means the window does a better job at keeping heat in the room. When you shop for windows, the label may only have the U-factor and not the R-value since these numbers are two

Get Access
Related
Get Access