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 Energy
Saving Windows
How To Save Energy With
Replacement Windows
Choosing the right replacement windows can dramatically
improve the look of your home, save you loads of money on heating
and cooling costs, and make your home less drafty and more
comfortable.
Which types of windows are best? Windows come in a variety
of styles and materials. Understanding the drawbacks and
rewards of each type can help you to make a sensible,
informed decision that results in real savings.
New windows can be custom made to any specification for any
purpose, but some shapes and designs are standard. They can
even be purchased off-the-shelf at home improvement stores,
which will save you some money.
Window glass can be double or triple hung, and can include
specialty features meant to keep heat in or out depending on
the season. Shapes and styles can be traditional and
familiar, or custom-designed for specific purposes.
Types of Replacement Window Frames
Any style of replacement window can be framed up with
aluminum, fiberglass, vinyl, wood, or some combination of
these materials. Framing materials have a major impact on
the energy efficiency of replacement windows, and also
affect their cost.
● Aluminum. Aluminum framed replacement windows are
the most affordable but also the least efficient. Their
clean lines make them popular with architects for ultra
modern construction. In the winter, condensation on the
window frames can cause issues with mold and dry rot in some
parts of the U.S.
● Fiberglass. Comparable to wood in efficiency and
cost, fiberglass window frames have a clean, fresh look, are
moderately energy efficient, and have the advantage of being
very lightweight and easy to handle.
● Wood. Wood framed windows are required for historic
upgrades in some parts of the country and are heavier and
pricier than vinyl or aluminum. Vinyl clad wood is a popular
high-end choice for optimal energy efficiency and
durability.
● Vinyl. By far the most popular choice for
replacement windows. Vinyl is energy efficient, affordable,
and looks nice with the vinyl siding that is now featured on
most homes. Vinyl is easy to maintain and looks new for
years.
Window Glass And Other Considerations
Window glass can be double hung or triple hung. This refers
to the layers of panes of glass used to increase thermal
efficiency. Glazing on window glass often includes special
features like tints that adjust to the amount of sunlight,
or reflective coatings that keep heat in during cold weather
and out during warm weather.
Some window glass is coated with a very thin layer of
polyester or metal that makes the surface slightly
reflective, like a mirror. Reflective glass also helps to
keep heat in during the winter months and out during the
summer months. Choose the glass options with the highest
insulation value you can afford.
Single pane glass is hard to find and no longer recommended.
The dead air space between panes of double or triple hung
glass is what provides the insulating value that saves
energy and keeps the house more comfortable.
A perfect vacuum between panes carries the highest
insulating value, but glass has to be very thick to
withstand a perfect vacuum between panes. For this reason,
various gases are used between the panes to increase the
insulating value.
The most common gas used to boost insulation between panes
is argon, which conducts heat 67% as fast as oxygen and so
keeps the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Krypton gas is sometimes used to help insulate between panes
of specialty windows that are very thin. Xenon gas is used
only rarely since it is very expensive.
When shopping for new windows, always look for the Energy
Saver label. This label indicates that the windows are
environmentally sound and are eligible for an Energy Saver
tax credit for the year you install them. According to the
U.S Environmental Protection Agency, choosing Energy Star
replacement windows can save the average household up to
$476 per year in utility costs when installed in place of
older, single-paned windows
Source: green living tips
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