Is Your Home Losing Energy Due To Low-Quality Or Old Windows?
Key Takeaways
Windows are a key factor in how well your home retains energy
Energy-efficient home windows are designed to reduce the heat transferred into and out of your home.
Low-quality or old windows can cause problems in your home, including draftiness, fading, etc.
The window energy rating measures how much a window prevents solar heat and/or heat loss. The higher the rating, the more efficient the window.
Windows are a vital part of any dwelling. Not only do they let natural light in, but they also keep the cold out during winter and the heat out during summer. You’re not alone if you think your home may be losing energy due to low quality or old windows. According to The Huffington Post, “up to 10 to 25 percent of a home’s heating & cooling can be lost through its windows.”
So, windows are a key factor in how well your home retains energy. If you have bad or old windows, you could lose a lot of energy and money each year. But don’t worry – there are things you can do to improve the situation!
In this post, Energy Advantage Roofing and Solar will explore energy-efficient home windows and explain why they are a good option. So read on and find out what you can do to make your home more energy-efficient!
How Is Energy Lost Through Windows?
Alrighty, let’s get into it. How does energy escape through windows, exactly? Well, there are three main ways:
1. Convection:
This is when air moves around due to temperature differences. So, if you have a warm room and cold windows, the air will flow from the warm room to the cold windows. And as that air moves, it takes heat with it – meaning your room will gradually get colder.
2. Conduction:
This is when heat is transferred directly through a material – in this case, glass. So, even on a cold day, if the sun is shining on your window, heat will be conducted from the sun’s rays into your home.
3. Radiation:
This is when heat is transferred through electromagnetic waves – like the heat you feel from a campfire. So, even on a cloudy day, your windows will radiate some of the sun’s heat into your home.
What are energy-efficient Efficient Windows?
Energy-efficient home windows are designed to reduce the heat transferred into and out of your home. They do this in one or more of the following ways:
1. Low-Emissivity (Low-E) Glass:
This type of glass has a special coating that helps reflect heat back into your home while still allowing sunlight to enter.
2. Argon Gas Filling:
Argon is a heavier gas than air, so it helps create an insulating barrier between the panes of glass in your window.
3. Krypton Gas Filling:
Like argon, krypton is also a heavier-than-air gas that helps create an insulating barrier in your window. However, krypton is even more effective than argon.
4. Multiple Panes Of Glass:
The more panes of glass in your window, the more layers of air there are to insulate against heat transfer.
5. Low-Conductivity Frames:
The material that makes up your window’s frame also affects how well it insulates. Metal conducts heat, so it’s not a good choice for an energy-efficient window. Wood is a much better insulator but tends to be more expensive than other options. Vinyl and fiberglass are also good choices for energy-efficient windows.
Inefficient Window Issues You Should Know About
Low-quality or old windows can cause many problems in your home, including:
Unpleasant drafts: If your windows are not properly sealed, they can let in drafts of cold air, which can make your home feel uncomfortable and cause your energy bills to spike.
Condensation: When warm air hits a cold surface, it can condense into water droplets. This can happen inside your windows if they are not energy-efficient. Not only is this ugly, but it can also lead to mold and mildew growth.
Fading: The sun’s UV rays can fade furniture, flooring, and window treatments over time. Energy-efficient windows have special coatings that help filter out these harmful rays.
High energy bills: If your windows are not energy-efficient, they can let heat escape in the winter & cool air escape in the summer, causing your energy bills to skyrocket.
Difficulty opening and closing: Old or poorly made windows can be difficult to open and close, which can be a major inconvenience.
What Can I Do About It?
Fortunately, there’re several things you can do to improve the efficiency of your windows.
1. Replace the Old Windows:
One of the smartest ways to improve the efficiency of your windows is to replace them with new, energy-efficient models. This will help seal in heat in the winter and keep cool air in the summer, saving you money on your energy bills.
2. Adding Weather-Stripping:
Another way to boost window efficiency is to add weather-stripping around them. This will help seal any gaps or cracks that might let air escape.
3. Installing Blinds Or Curtains:
Finally, you can also improve the efficiency of your windows by installing blinds or curtains. This will help to keep heat in during the winter and cool air in during the summer.
By taking these steps, you can help to improve the efficiency of your windows and save money on your energy bills.
What Is the Window Energy Rating?
The window energy rating is a measure of how much solar heat gain and/or heat loss a window prevents. The higher the number, the more efficient the window.
Solar heat gain is the amount of heat that comes through a window from the sun. In the summer, this can make your home too warm and cause your air conditioner to work harder. In the winter, solar heat gain can help to keep your home warm.
Heat loss is the amount of heat that escapes from your home through the windows. In the winter, this can make your home too cold and cause your furnace to work harder. In the summer, heat loss can help to keep your home cool.
Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows
So, what are the benefits of energy-efficient home windows? Let’s take a look:
1. Energy Efficiency:
Energy-efficient windows can help to lower your energy bills by keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
2. Environmentally Friendly:
By using less energy, these windows can help to reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Reduced Condensation:
They can help to reduce condensation on the inside of your windows, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.
4. Increased Comfort:
They can help to create a more comfortable environment in your home by reducing drafts and temperature fluctuations.
5. Reduces Fading:
Energy-efficient windows can help to reduce fading of furniture, flooring, and window treatments by blocking out harmful UV rays.
6. Quieter Home:
They can help to create a quieter home environment by blocking out external noise.
7. Saves Money:
They can help to save you money on your energy bills by reducing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home. You can also save money through the new tax advantage.
8. Increases Home Value:
Energy-efficient windows can add value to your home by making it more energy efficient and, therefore, more attractive to potential buyers.
9. Improves Security:
These windows can help improve the security of your home by making it more difficult for intruders to break in.
10. Helps The Environment:
By using less energy, these can help reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the environment.
Looking For New Windows in Boulder, CO? We Can Help!
Energy Advantage Roofing and Solar is your one-stop shop for all your window needs in Boulder, CO! We offer energy-efficient windows that can help you save money on your energy bills and improve the look of your home. We also offer solar and roofing services to help you save even more money!