If you have been shopping around for replacement windows, you are fully aware of the wide selection of options available to you. You can choose between different materials, styles, designs, colours and functions, but one variance you can’t always notice is the energy efficiency levels between different types of windows.
The efficiency of a window depends on several factors such as:
1. The Frame
Having a high-quality frame made from a durable material that can reduce heat transfer and help insulate your home better is the foundation for any energy efficient window. The frame is what holds the unit together, and if the frame is made from a material or is constructed in a way that allows for heat to transfer through it easily, your window will not be considered energy efficient. Frames can be constructed out of several different materials such as wood, aluminum, fiberglass and vinyl.
2. Window Panes
Having multiple window panes will help increase the insulating factor of your window. Each glass pane is separated by an insulated spacer, allowing the temperature of the internal glass pane to be closer to the temperature of the room as it is not directly exposed to the external environment. Double paned windows are the most popular, but you can choose to install triple or even quadruple paned windows if you want to increase the efficiency.
3. Argon Gas
Filling the space between the window panes with argon gas helps reduce heat transfer and increase the efficiency of your windows. This is because argon is significantly denser, and insulates more effectively than air. Argon gas is non-toxic and odorless, so in the event that the seal between the glass panes leaks, there will be no potential health risks to be concerned about.
4. Low Emissivity Coating
A low emissivity or low-e coating assists in reducing heat transfer that can occur through your windows by reflecting heat back towards the direction it came. This means that during the warmer months, a low-e coating will help block any heat from entering your home and in the cooler months, the coating will help retain the heat in your home by reflecting it inwards. Even though the coating does a great job of reflecting heat and even harmful UV rays, it fully allows for natural light to enter your home.
There are several benefits of energy-efficient windows including; reduced energy bills as your heating and cooling systems will not need to work as hard to maintain your ideal indoor temperature throughout the year, increased comfort as there will be less fluctuation in your home’s internal temperature and you would have eliminated any cool or warm zones around your window and finally you will increase the value of your home, as new windows have shown to add value to a home on the market and help set it apart from other homes for sale in the area.
