Technology has changed the way everything is done including construction. One of the best options available both for residential and commercial buildings is energy-efficient windows. Replacing standard windows offers several advantages. While it will be an investment, it definitely pays back with lower energy consumption and enhanced thermal comfort. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, energy-efficient windows can cut back annual household energy bills by 7% to 15%. This is determined by your location and which type of window you install.
How Energy-Efficient Windows Minimize Consumption
Standard windows are typically made of double-pane clear glass. These do not work well in regard to keeping heat or cold out. Homes with these windows will usually be paying much higher energy bills than those with energy-efficient windows.
Features of Energy-Efficient Windows
The easiest way to identify genuine windows is to look for those that have the ENERGY STAR® mark. Windows only get it after passing rigorous performance standards. It is issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Energy Star program. You also want to look for the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) energy performance label. The Energy Star label certifies that a window is energy-efficient while the NFRC label makes it easy to compare different energy-efficient products by explaining their energy performance.
Windows that qualify for this quality mark have the following features;
- Two or three panes of glass that have inert gasses like argon in between. The gasses greatly improve the glass’s ability to provide insulation against heat in or out of the house or building.
- Frames that enhance the glass’s insulation properties.
- Spacers that reduce heat flow which prevents condensation. Spacers ensure that the distance between the panes is ideal.
- Particular types of coating that create low emissivity(low-E) glass which reflects heat energy into the house or out which also enhances insulation. The layers also reflect UV rays away from the house which reduces fading of furniture by up to 75%.
How Energy-Efficient Windows Increase Comfort
Another benefit of energy-efficient windows is that they make for a much more comfortable home or building. This is because they regulate temperatures with high efficiency. During cold seasons, they ensure heated air does not escape and when it is hot, they ensure cooled air is not lost through the windows. A house will never be too hot or cold regardless of the weather conditions outside which makes for comfortable living or working throughout the year. Standard windows cannot provide this level of comfort because they are not built to regulate temperatures with the same efficiency.
Increased Fiscal Value With Energy-Efficient Windows
As they reduce your energy consumption, these windows will increase the financial value of your home. As more and more people wake up to the benefits of energy-efficient windows, they are willing to pay more for a house that has been fitted with them.
You can use this as a selling point by illustrating to potential buyers or renters how these windows have reduced energy consumption. Your bills will provide sufficient evidence of this. You can take it further and get an energy audit that will give your home a rating. You can find assessors in your area on the Department of Energy website. Some utility providers also do energy audits. Additionally, you can put yourself in a better financial position with energy-efficient upgrades. There are tax credits given for them and financing options that are available through state and federal governments as well.
63% of real estate agents and brokers indicated that they promote energy efficiency in the listings they create. This is according to a report published by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The same report indicated that half of the realtors were handling properties that had energy-efficiency upgrades and 48% found that consumers were keen on them.
Environmental Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows
Apart from fiscal and physical advantages like enhanced comfort, these windows also benefit the environment. Reduced electricity consumption reduces a person’s greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint. You can put your power to other uses like charging your electric vehicle which also benefits the environment.
In 2016, the U.S. domestic sector produced an estimated 19% of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 69% of these were from electricity consumption. Direct fossil fuel consumption for heating homes accounted for the remaining 31%. This is according to EnergySage which works with partners to promote energy-efficient products. Energy-efficient windows and other products reduced GHG emissions significantly.
Standard windows do not offer this advantage. They let sunlight in which runs up the power bill because the HVAC uses more power to keep the house cool. This increases GHG emissions. They let in rather than filter out UV rays the way energy-efficient windows do.
In summary, the benefits of energy-efficient windows are:
- Reducing energy consumption
- Increasing the fiscal value of a home which is significant for those planning to sell their home in future
- Tax benefits that are given for going green with fixtures
- Access to financing to make the upgrade
- Reducing GHG emissions which is very beneficial for the environment.
Conclusion
Having made the decision to go green with your windows, you want to have them installed by an expert, experienced installer. If you live in or around southeast Michigan, the company that people have come to trust is Horizon Roofing Construction. The process will begin with a free evaluation of your windows.
We install windows from different brands that are certified to be energy efficient. This includes Andersen® 100 Series windows and Ascent Design. We are also open with other brands on request. Additionally, we follow industry Best Practice procedures to install windows. You can also count on Horizon Roofing Construction for long-term warranty on labor and the materials we use. We give a warranty of at least five years on both.
Get in touch and let us organize that free window evaluation. From there, we will look at the options for energy-efficient windows in terms of style and performance. We will then embark on making the change that your wallet and environment very happy.