It’s no secret that quality energy-efficient replacement windows have a higher price tag than builders grade ones. However, when you consider their long-term benefits, you’ll see them less as an additional expense and more as an investment. In today’s post, local window and roofing contractor Polar Bear discusses why energy-efficient replacement windows are the way to go.
What Makes a Window Energy-Efficient?
Let us first take a look at the bigger picture. Windows are part of the house’s energy envelope, which also consists of the roof and exterior walls. These parts contain insulation made of foam, recycled paper or fiberglass blankets. A properly-insulated energy envelope should be able to prevent thermal transfer or heat leaks and maintain consistent indoor temperatures, which helps reduce the house’s heating and cooling requirements.
The obvious problem with windows is that they’re mostly made of glass — a naturally conductive substance. This is why drafts usually form near windows. Window glass also needs to stay transparent, so the kind of insulation used in your walls obviously won’t do. The “insulated” glass that comes with energy-efficient windows is actually an assembly made of two or three panels separated by an airspace. This barrier separates the indoor and outdoor surfaces and slows down thermal transfer, complementing the other insulated parts of the energy envelope.
Advantages of Energy-Efficient Replacement Windows
Energy-efficient replacement windows offer the following benefits:
Energy savings — Half of an average household’s annual utility costs is spent on heating and cooling alone. Energy-efficient replacement windows don’t just help improve indoor comfort, they also help you become more comfortable with your monthly energy bills.
Prolonged HVAC service life — With energy-efficient windows, your heating and cooling systems won’t have to be working hard and redlining all the time just to keep you comfortable. This can help prolong your HVAC system’s service life, lower its maintenance requirements, and reduce the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns.
Improved natural lighting — Some types of energy-efficient windows have coatings that can block UV rays and heat from the sun. This means you don’t have to worry about direct sunlight heating up your home during the cooling season.
Polar Bear is your leading provider of exterior solutions, including window installation and roof replacement. Give us a call at (425) 290-5579. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Mukilteo and Seattle, as well as the surrounding communities.