Cooling Your Home with Energy Efficient Windows
It may be hard to believe, but your windows could be costing you money! That’s a grim statement considering the cost of windows and what you probably paid to have them installed in the first place. The truth is, it’s possible for energy efficient windows to pay for themselves in just a few years by saving you energy costs.
When choosing new vinyl replacement windows, style is often the first thing we consider, cost second, and efficiency last. However, if we would change our priorities, we would be pleasantly surprised. The savings in our heating and cooling bills would add up to cash in our pockets.
Windows are thermal holes. A typical home can lose up to 30% of its heating or air-conditioning through its windows. So, even if energy efficient windows cost more up front, the savings down the road is undeniable. If you are dealing with a new construction home, you may even be able to downsize your heating and cooling unit because of the efficiency of your windows.
There are many factors that create an energy efficient window. One interesting one is the coating that covers the glass of the window. For instance, Low-E glass coatings are transparent metallic oxides that reflect up to 90% of long-wave heat energy, while passing shorter wave, visible light. In hot climates, they reflect the sun’s long-wave heat energy while admitting visible light, thereby keeping the house cooler in the summer. And in cold climates, they reflect long-wave radiant heat back into the house, again while admitting visible light. So, you get the benefit of light in the house with or without added heat, all because of the glass coating.
There are many factors and details to consider when buying new windows or replacing old ones, but one fact is for sure…installing energy efficient windows is always a money saving and wise choice!
Call Trim-A-Seal today for more information at 800-217-6355 or visit us at www.trimaseal.com.
Trim-A-Seal has been providing high quality home improvement products throughout Northern Indiana and Northeast Illinois for 60 years.