Replacing your windows with energy efficient ones is a great way to save money on energy bills. ENERGY STAR certified windows trap unwanted warm air during the summer and wrap your home in a blanket of insulation during the colder months.
JELD-WEN produces a wide range of quality products designed to be energy efficient, beautiful and durable. They offer many options for custom window designs and support their products with a lifetime warranty.
Frame Material
Whether it is new construction or replacement windows, there are energy-efficient options available. This is not only good for your home’s comfort, but it also increases its value.
The frame material makes a big difference in your window’s energy efficiency. The typical materials include aluminum, vinyl, wood, and composite. Fiberglass frames are the best option in terms of energy efficiency.
Glass and glazing are another important factor in a window’s energy efficiency. Double and triple-pane windows are the most energy efficient. Typically, they have a space of less than 1/2″ between the two panes. The space is often filled with argon or krypton, which are inert, clear, and odorless gases that reduce heat transfer.
A window’s energy-efficiency is a combination of different factors, including the frame and glazing materials, gas fills and spaces, and operation features. All of these elements are listed on a window’s NFRC label. This label provides detailed information about the window’s energy performance and other properties.
Glass
One of the main reasons homeowners choose to replace their windows is to make their home more energy efficient. In order to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines, windows must have a low U-factor and high-performance glass.
ENERGY STAR-qualified products are also designed to reduce glare and provide more light control. These features can increase a building’s comfort and efficiency while decreasing its operating costs.
The glass portion of a window is called an insulated glazing unit (IGU). The glass in an IGU can be single or dual panes, but the best option for energy efficiency is a double-pane.
The two interior panes of a double-pane window have low-emissivity coatings, which minimize bi-directional heat transfer. The low-e coatings help to keep heat inside during the winter and out in the summer, reducing heating and cooling costs. Additionally, the low-e coatings are highly reflective and can decrease glare.
Argon Insulation
Argon is an inert gas used to replace air between window panes in double or triple-pane thermal windows, also called insulated glass units (IGUs). It reduces convection and helps the IGUs achieve better R-values. It is safe for people, works well in all climates, and blocks harmful ultraviolet light from the sun.
Argon is an odorless, colorless gas that makes up less than 1% of the Earth’s atmosphere. It is denser than air and works best in conjunction with a low-emissivity coating to provide better energy efficiency. It is also safe for the environment and non-toxic to homeowners and their families. Additionally, argon doesn’t corrode the window material, so it lasts longer than air does. Argon is a practical option for energy-efficient windows, especially because it only costs about $40 per window more than air. This small investment is quickly returned through reduced energy costs and a longer window life. This results in a more comfortable and consistent temperature inside the home all year round.
Weatherstripping
A good seal between a window and the frame helps reduce drafts, humidity and noise pollution in your home. It also lowers heating and cooling costs.
The best and most durable type of weatherstripping is flexible or rigid rolled-vinyl gaskets. These spools of material are easily unrolled and applied to jambs, windowsills, door bottoms, and window sashes. This kind of weatherstripping comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes to match your home.
A less expensive but still effective option is felt weatherstripping. This type of gasketing is available in many different thicknesses, and professionals use glue, staples or tacks to install it along jambs and the bottoms of doors and window frames. It usually lasts a year or two before it needs replacement.