What You Should Know About Energy-Efficient Windows
So many people are turning toward energy-efficient appliances and features in their home because of the great benefits. In the past, windows were a vacuum for energy, sucking it out and increasing heating and cooling costs. Today, however, energy-efficient windows are available. If you are considering replacing your old windows with new energy-efficient ones, check out these five important facts.
They're Expensive But Have A High Return On Investment
Switching to energy-efficient windows isn't a cheap project. Prices for a single window range from $270 to $800, and if you want the best results, expect to pay closer to $800. Luckily, like most energy-efficient features, buyers are willing to pay extra for the great money-saving benefits, so the return on investment is about 72.9 percent of the cost of the project. This means that whether you're planning on staying in your home or thinking about moving in the near future, energy-efficient windows are a great investment.
Heat Is Kept In Or Out
Conduction, convection, radiation and air leakage affect how much heat flows through a window. Conduction is when the heat moves directly through the object, but energy-efficient windows are less conductive, blocking more heat from moving. Convection is when the window cools the air and causes it to fall, creating a draft. Energy-efficient windows use at least two panes of glass to slow this effect. Radiant heat is when energy from something warm moves to something cool. Low-E coatings on windows stop the glass from absorbing heat into the house or outside. Lastly, air leaks are when air escapes through tiny holes and gaps, but energy-efficient windows are designed with low air-leakage rates.
Dangerous UV Rays Are Blocked
Energy-efficient windows don't just block heat from entering your house on hot, sunny days. They also block dangerous UV rays. This feature isn't really about protecting you unless you stand by the window all day, which you probably don't. Instead, it is designed to protect your furniture. UV light fades fabric, which causes your furniture to look old before its time. This way, your furniture looks better longer, so you don't have to replace it as often or end up with a couch that is faded on one half.
Replacing One Window Won't Save You Money
The energy-saving benefits of energy-efficient windows are amazing. Thanks to the many ways they keep heat in or out, these windows significantly cut your heating and cooling costs. However, unless you replace all your windows, you're just wasting money. It may be tempting to replace a single broken window with an energy-efficient one but keep all your old ones. However, doing this won't generate any savings because energy is still escaping through every other window. To get your money's worth and see monthly savings, you must replace them all.
There Are Alternatives, But They Aren't As Effective
If you can't afford to replace all your windows, there are alternatives. Low-E window films are placed over your existing windows to help reduce energy consumption. The most effective ones are silver or mirror-like, which impairs the view through your window. There are clear films that don't obstruct your view, but they don't generate the same energy savings. Even if you get these more efficient silver films, they aren't as effective as energy-efficient windows and you won't see a return on investment.
Don't waste your money by replacing one or two windows. Only by replacing all your windows with energy-efficient ones do you end up with a great investment. If you are ready to make the switch to energy-efficient windows and see your energy bills drop, contact a window replacement contractor today.