These days, energy efficiency has become an important concept for many home owners, this is because an energy efficient home  equals additional saving on utilities like electricity. A typical household can save roughly 25% on their utility bills when energy efficient measures are implemented within their home. A good starting point for making your home more energy efficient is by upgrading your windows and doors.

What are Energy Efficient Windows?

Windows allow natural light in to your home as well as provide ventilation and views of the outdoors. Unfortunately, they are responsible for about 10%-25% of your heat loss in your home. During the warmer months your windows can also be responsible for your AC working harder to cool the air in your home as warm air and heat from the sun enter your home.

Replacing your current windows with more energy efficient ones is a good step to take if your goal is to lower your energy bill.

What Makes a Window Energy Efficient?

Frame Materials

The frame materials used are durable yet low-maintenance. The material the frame is made of reduces heat transfer, helping insulate the home.

Double Pane or Triple Pane

Energy efficient windows have at least two glass panes, and the space between each pane is filled with gas. Windows with three or more panes have increased energy efficiency.

Gas-Filled Center

Having a colourless, odorless, non-toxic gas in between the panes, such as argon gas helps insulate the windows and prevents heat loss.

Low-E Glass

Low-E stands for low-emissivity, it was designed to minimize the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light coming through the glass, reflecting heat with its special coating. It’s also the coating that keeps the temperature in your home consistent.

Edge Spacers

Windows that utilize edge spacers have a space that helps keep the window panes a certain distance apart to reduce heat transfer.

Major Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows

Aside from saving on utility bills, there are also plenty more benefits to installing energy efficient windows:

Increased Home Value

Having an energy efficient home is appealing to potential buyers, so, it is an advantage for you to install windows that are energy efficient if you’re planning or entertaining the possibility of selling your home in the future.

Combat Outside Noise

Energy efficient windows are well-insulated, which makes them the perfect shield against outside noises. New, energy efficient windows will reduce any outside noise from entering your home and prevent them from disturbing you.

Minimized Heat Transfer

Energy efficient windows have a low U-factor (the rate at which a window conducts non-solar heat flow). They also have a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). The SHGC is a measure of solar radiation admitted through a window. When both values are low, it means heat gain in warm climates is reduced.

Better for the Environment

Can energy efficient windows really help the environment? Yes, home energy use accounts for roughly 25% of your carbon footprint. Upgrading your windows can be a significant reduction of greenhouse gasses generated.

Reduces the Effects of the Sun 

Over time, it’s common for the sun’s rays to cause paint on your walls, the colour of your furniture and even your flooring and carpets to fade. By installing energy efficient windows, UV rays from the sun are blocked, helping to prevent this fading from occurring.