Maximizing Window Energy Efficiency
Given that windows that are poorly insulated and allow air to escape can raise your energy bills by 10 to 25%, optimizing window energy efficiency in your home should be at the top of your to-do-list.
If you’ve noticed that your energy bills are excessively high or your home never feels cool enough in the summer or warm enough in the winter, you may be due for window replacement. The National Association of Realtors reports that homeowners who replace their windows will regain 80% of their investment in energy savings.
Choosing the right replacement windows can be a daunting task though. Your focus should be on finding the right dual-paned home windows, which greatly improve efficiency. By minimizing the amount of ultraviolet and infrared light that passes through glass without reducing visibility in a room, dual-paned replacement windows will keep your home cooler in summer. Likewise, by reflecting heat back inside in the winter, your replacement windows will maintain the heat within your home in winter.
Dual-paned windows are essentially insulating glass, which consists of two or three panes separated by a vacuum or filled with gas in order to decrease heat transfer throughout your home. They usually range in thickness from 1/8″ to 3/8″ and can consist of laminated or tempered glass. Both panes are usually the same thickness although special considerations such as acoustic reduction or security may necessitate increased glass thickness.
Heightened awareness of energy conservation and the need to reduce spending has led homeowners to consider replacement window installation. According to the National Association of Home Builders 2012 Remodeling Market Index, 44% of renovation projects were for window or door replacements.
Though dual-paned replacement residential windows are an investment that doesn’t immediately pay off, given that costs run from $300 to $700 per window, they will surely add value to your home and save you an average of 15% a year on your energy bill. Replacement windows generally last 20 years or more so you can easily recoup your investment over time.
With 45% of your energy bill going toward heating, according to the Department of Energy, it’s never too early to start reducing your spending by investing in reliable dual-paned replacement windows, and never too soon to begin enjoying the comfort of your own home.
