Energy efficiency is one of the most touted features of today’s replacement windows. But have you ever wondered how it works, when windows do not even use energy at all? Read on as Renewal by Andersen® of Rapid City explains how replacement windows can help you save on your energy bills.
The Energy Envelope
To understand the role of replacement windows in energy savings, let us first explain the energy envelope — the enclosure that’s made of the roof and exterior walls. Since most of today’s homes are heated and cooled environments, the energy envelope needs insulation to reduce thermal transfer. A poorly-insulated home would allow heat to infiltrate during hot days and to escape during cold days. Consequently, this makes the HVAC system work for longer times, resulting in higher energy consumption.
Windows are at a greater risk of leaking heat because they’re mostly made of glass. Heat easily passes through traditional windows because single-pane glass readily conducts heat, and standard insulating materials can’t be used on them. Air leaks can also occur if the window sashes do not form a seal when closed.
Energy-Efficient Features
The right replacement windows can help address the issues described above. When getting new windows, make sure they have the following features:
- Double-Pane Glass. Standard insulating materials are opaque, which makes them unsuitable for use on single glass panes. Double-pane glass solves this problem by having separate interior and exterior surfaces, which slows down thermal transfer between both sides. The gap can be optionally filled with an inert gas to further improve its insulating properties.
- Glass Coatings. Sunlight is another source of heat that easily passes through clear glass, no matter the number of panes. Some replacement windows, like ours at Renewal by Andersen, feature glass that’s coated to selectively block solar heat without reducing natural light.
- Insulated Frame. Window frames are just as important as the glass. Make it a point to choose frames that either have insulated cores or are made with an inherently insulating material, like our Fibrex® material frames.
- Manufactured Precisely. To keep air leaks to a minimum, you need windows that are manufactured precisely. Custom windows are the best way to go about this, as off-the-rack replacement windows tend to have fitting issues over time.
- Quality Workmanship. Proper installation is needed to ensure a good fit and reliable long-term performance. Choosing a window contractor with trained and certified installers, with a robust workmanship warranty, won’t just provide peace of mind, but also ensure immediate energy savings.
Planning on getting new windows this year? Give our team at Renewal by Andersen of Rapid City a call at (605) 341-7831 to get started. You can also fill out our online form to schedule a consultation. We serve Spearfish, SD, and the surrounding communities.
