The Energy Saving Benefits of New Windows

Whether you are moving or updating your existing home, energy-efficient windows are a crucial consideration. While replacing old and drafty windows can be costly and time-consuming, the energy-saving benefits of new windows make it a worthwhile endeavor. Energy-efficient windows cost up to 15% more than ordinary windows, but their benefits could cut your energy costs by up to 20% and recoup up to 90% of your investment when you decide to sell your house. Since energy-efficiency is top on every prospective home buyers’ list, energy-saving windows will help you make a quick sale when you put your house on the market. In today’s article, we discuss the energy-saving benefits of new windows.

The Energy Saving Benefits of New Windows

Choosing high-grade, efficient windows, will give you significant long-term benefits. Here are a few of the advantages you’ll get from installing energy-efficient windows:

1. Reduced Costs

New, energy-saving windows can increase your long-term savings by reducing your utility costs and heating bills. Energy-efficient windows come with multi-glazed panes and filler gases that reduce heat transfer between your interior and the exterior environment. This way, energy-efficient windows eliminate the need to counteract leakages during the colder and warmer months.  You will, therefore, reduce your spending on heating and cooling bills. Various jurisdictions also offer tax credits to households that install energy-efficient windows. These have an overall positive effect on your home’s budget.

2. Better Insulation

Most energy-efficient windows come in multiple panes, with air pockets between the panes. In some cases, the gap between the panes is filled with Argon or Krypton gas. The air pocket and filler gas act as insulators because they are poor conductors of heat. Additionally, these gases are heavier than air, hence providing better insulation. These windows are, therefore, wholly capable of keeping your home protected from the harsh outdoors and eliminate the occurrence of ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ spots in your rooms. These windows form a protective barrier that keeps your interior cooler in summer and warmer in winter without little or no air conditioning.

3. Protection of Your Interior Belongings

Energy-efficient windows feature special coatings to block out harmful UV rays from the sun. Some materials such as fabrics, carpets, paper, wooden furniture, and artwork normally fade when exposed to UV radiation. Their Low-E (Low Emissivity) values also imply that these windows block infrared radiation from penetrating into your house. With reduced harmful radiation, you reduce your spending on maintenance as you won’t have to replace or restore worn-out fabrics, furniture, and other interior belongings.

4. Improved Comfort

The design of energy-efficient windows enables them to eliminate drafts. In older windows, as temperature drops, cold glass creates drafts by cooling the air next to the window. This colder, heavier airdrops to the floor, creating an uncomfortable environment. Strong, direct sunlight through these windows can be projected towards people, surfaces, and interior assets, causing discomfort due to overheating. High-performance windows improve comfort with their high U-Factors that ensure a constant internal temperature both in cold and warm seasons.

5. Reduced Condensation

When your window panes are cooler than the surrounding air, condensations form on the glass. Condensation allows frost to build upon your windows. As frost melts, it may damage your window sashes, frames, and even walls. Efficient windows come with a metallic, Low-E coating that discourages condensation from forming on your panes. Double or Triple-glazing your windows also allows them to retain heat, reducing the likelihood of condensation. Reduced condensation also reduces your HVAC bills, since frost makes the room feel colder, and would require extra heating to melt away.

6. Eco-Friendly

Due to their energy-saving characteristics, new windows make your home better for the environment. These windows allow you to maintain a constant indoor temperature, requiring little or no air conditioning. With reduced heating and cooling costs, your house will use less energy. This implies that you’ll reduce your home’s dependence on fossil fuels for heating, making it eco-friendly.

Energy-efficient windows are more than just a tedious replacement project, they are an investment towards the increased comfort and value of your home. Aspen Home Improvements provides durable, high-performance windows that provide incredible performance at affordable costs. Give us a call today if you are in Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland to see how we can help improve your home’s energy efficiency.