Energy Efficient Replacement Windows
Buying Tips
Energy efficient replacement windows can save on seasonal heating and cooling, according to the Energy Star official site, the saving is $126 to $465 every year by replacing single-pane windows. The saving is dependent on where the home is located Window Frame Materials The frame material plays a significant role, aesthetically and economically - Wood was used traditionally for ages. Wood is a very good insulator; however it is a high maintenance material. Annual re-painting is needed to prevent distortion, cracks, and decaying.
- Vinyl (a kind of plastic) is becoming more popular. Vinyl frames carry a cheaper price tag; they are sturdy in regions where the temperatures are not extremely hot or extremely cold, or worst of all going erratically from one extreme to another.
- Aluminum is a low maintenance material, it is preconditioned so it does not require periodic painting . However, being a metal it is a very good heat conductor and it does not provide good heat insulation. In cold winter regions, aluminum is not recommended. My own experience (in California) with aluminum frame is very good.
Energy Efficient Replacement Windows Desired Features Over the last 20 years, energy efficient windows technology went through leap frog advancement. Some of the features available to the consumer are listed bellow Multi- layers GlazingInsulation is enhanced by adding more layers of glazing. The added layers can be glass or in some cases a thin transparent plastic sheet is added. The more layers are employed; the better is the insulation quality. It is usual to have a quarter inch (6 mm) air space between the layers. More advance windows use argon, carbon dioxide or argon-krypton mixture. Using other than air as a filling gas provide a better thermal isolation and can prevent the condensation phenomenon that some air filled spaces exhibit Tinted glass coatingsTinted glass coating are not recommended for domestic application. The tinted film degrades the transparency and hence reduces visibility. New improved tinted film windows claim they have overcome these issues. Low-e Coatings A thin coating of silver or tin oxide is placed on the glass surface. The layer is so thin it does not reduce the visibility. Low-e coating is efficient in reducing the heat loses because the solar heat infrared radiation is reflected back into the room.
Tax Credits and Return on InvestmentIn my page 1500 tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows I discuss the window tax credit and how to read the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) certification label. Based on the Star Energy saving projections in the link bellow, the price of the new windows and taking into account the $1500 tax credit, calculate whether you want to invest in new windows. For a new building, investing in energy efficient windows is a clever choice that can be easily justified.
In those situations where the old windows are in a bad shape and for homes that are refurbished, installing new energy efficient replacement windows is very sensible. View a map of the expected saving in each of the US regions on the Energy Star official site
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