Understanding the Factors that Make Windows Energy Efficient

As winter approaches here in the Minneapolis area, we know many homeowners are looking to make some improvements that will cut their heating bills.  Energy-efficient replacement windows could be your best bet, since the highest amount of heat loss in a home is through window openings.

We know, there are some critics out there that claim energy efficient windows aren’t worth the investment.

While they admit that the windows can help cut down on drafts and make homes a bit more energy efficient, their argument is the effect isn’t noticeable enough to be worth the effort.

This just isn’t the case.

Moving from single pane windows, or very old windows that don’t fit well in their openings to highly energy efficient windows can have a notable impact on your heating and cooling bills. That’s why it makes so much sense to consider the different window options out there.  But you need to evaluate the energy efficiency ratings that they have before you make a replacement.

 

The Main Energy Efficiency Factors in Windows

There are a few features of replacement windows that you should be looking at to determine how efficient they are going to be overall. Learn what each of these different labels means to help you figure out which windows are the ones you should be buying.

• Air Leakage – Not every manufacturer will let you know what the air leakage figure is, but it’s important to look out for this factor to find out just how much hot or cold air is going to make it into your home from the outside.
• U-Factor – This is a window’s ability to keep heat or cold air from escaping your home. The lower this number, the more of an insulator it is and the less you have to worry about spending on your heating or cooling bills.
• SHGC – Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is a number that lets you know how well your windows prevent heat from the sun from coming into your home. The lower the figure is, the better the windows are at keeping heat out of your home. You want a low number on homes that are in southern climates, while a higher figure might be more beneficial in northern climates where you want to let in heat from the sun.  But even in our climate, you might consider a higher SHGC rating for windows on the south side of your home.  Those rooms are going to get the warmest in the summer.

It’s important to go over all the efficiency factors of windows before you make a purchase. That’s the only way to know how to properly choose the windows that are going to meet your needs. For example, it’s important to consider the SHGC factor of a window based on a particular climate. Make sure that you take all these things into consideration before you make a window purchase.

 

Enhance Your Home’s Comfort with Energy-Efficient Replacement Windows

More energy-efficient windows will not only save you money by lowering your need to heat or cool your home but also will increase your overall comfort as well. That’s because efficient windows eliminate drafts in many instances. That cool air chill that you get from standing next to the windows currently on your home isn’t necessary. Instead you can feel comfortable even standing near good quality windows.

These are just the basics.  Understand a bit more about energy efficient windows using this information.

Now that we’ve gone over the different ratings and you understand them better, let’s talk about the windows that would be the best choice for your home. Speak with us today to put the right windows in the home that you own.

Window outfitters, Inc. is a licensed Minnesota home improvement company, and we install energy-efficient replacement windows in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the entire Twin Cities metro area.  

 

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.