If you have at least one kid in your house, there is a good chance that you have experienced at least one broken window in the past - if not, there is probably one in your future. Do you know what to do if a window or glass door is broken in your home? How you clean it up, who replaces it and how you handle the entire situation will all have an impact on the outcome. My site contains tips for dealing with a broken window or glass door in your home. Hopefully, you will be able to learn from my many experiences and avoid the mistakes that I have made.
If you're tired of seeing your heating and cooling bills skyrocket, but you've tried everything to improve the efficiency of your systems, you may not be checking in the right place. Drafty windows that allow heat to pass are notorious for causing you to feel too hot during the summer and too cold during the winter. If you think your windows might be to blame, you must consider energy-efficient windows. Check out these five important facts you must know about energy-efficient windows.
The Frames Are Low-Conductive
If you've ever used a conductive stovetop, you know how conductivity works. Basically, conductivity is when one thing that is hot transfers its heat to something else. So a stove transfers the heat to the pan, and the sun transfers heat to your metal window frame, which enters your home and increases the temperature. Energy-efficient windows have low-conductive frames. One common material is vinyl because it is naturally low-conductive. However, even metal window frames can be low-conductive when dampers are used properly to stop the transfer of heat. Work with your window contractor to decide which framing material is right for your needs.
Gasses Add to the Insulating Properties
Energy-efficient windows are often double-paned. This alone helps stop the transfer of heat because the pane of glass touching the outside air never touches the inside air. With only one pane of glass, it's easy to create drafts during the winter. The glass is cold from the outside air, so when the warm air inside touches it, it cools. Double panes help prevent this. However, in many cases, the space between these two panes of glass is filled with insulating gasses. This does an even better job of protecting the two panes of glass from each other, stopping the transfer of heat better.
Low-E Coatings Block UV Rays
While you can buy inexpensive low-E coatings to put on your existing windows, most new energy-efficient windows come with a better low-E coating built in. The low-E coating helps block invisible light waves, such as UV rays. This means that less heat enters your home to keep it cooler. At the same time, because only invisible light is blocked, you still get plenty of natural sunlight. As an added bonus, low-E coatings can help protect your furniture too. UV rays don't just harm skin. They can also fade fabrics and other materials, so a couch that is near a big bright window may fade quickly or unevenly.
They Are Better Resistant to Leaks
Older windows tend to have more leaks. This may be due to the type of materials uses, or it may simply be natural wear and tear that leads to leaks, which just suck the warm or cold air from your home like a vacuum. New energy-efficient windows, of course, are newer, so they are better quality and more durable than your old, worn windows. However, energy-efficient windows also have other features to stop leaks. These include well-constructed closing device, weather-stripping and tight connections.
They Are Worth the Price
Getting energy-efficient windows isn't cheap. Expect to pay about $270 to $800 per window. However, thanks to their amazing efficiency, these windows will help lower your monthly energy bills, allowing you to recoup your investment. On top of that, energy-efficient windows have a return on investment (ROI) of about 72.9 percent, which means when you do sell your home, you'll get most of the money back you invested in the windows. However, to really benefit from lower energy bills and a high ROI, you need to replace all your windows.
You don't have to watch your energy bills increase. By installing energy-efficient windows, you better insulate your home, which means you can use less power to heat or cool your home comfortably, and they are a great ROI when it's time to sell your home. For more information regarding energy-efficient windows and their many benefits, contact a window contractor, like one from Valley Glass Utility, in your area today.
Share25 August 2017
