It is very important when you decide to conserve energy that you have windows that contribute to this goal. In other words, your windows should be helping to insulate your house effectively so you could keep the heat or coolness inside or outside, as needed. Since the technology nowadays changes rapidly, it makes good sense to upgrade your home regularly, say once in about five years, so you could profit from the advances science makes.
What makes windows energy efficient?
Glass is a good conductor of heat for which in most cases, it acts as an exchange counter between your home and the outside atmosphere. When it is cold, it may allow the heat from your home escape out and let the cold inside; when it is hot, it might allow the coolness escape while the heat would be drawn inside the home. In such cases, your heat regulating systems would work doubly hard to ensure that the temperature inside is maintained for your best comfort. There are certain factors that you could look for when you buy windows, so you would be able to save energy and money:
1. Thickness of the glass – the thicker is the glass, the more difficult is for the heat or cold to pass through it. This is why people today prefer to purchase double or even triple panes windows.
2. Gas insulation – when you are speaking about double or triple paned windows, you would also need to consider those windows, which have trapped in-between the panes some insulating gas such as Argon. A gas would always insulate better than air, because air contains a good amount of moisture, which is a great heat conductor.
3. Frames of the windows – ensure that the frames of the windows are made of material that does not conduct heat, nor would deteriorate with ease, as this could create cracks and spaces through which air would be transferred in and out. The best today is the synthetic glass as this conducts heat in the least, is unbreakable and does not rot (like the wood) or corrode like the aluminum.
4. Installation – this is one of the most important aspects when it comes to buying energy saving windows. This is because most people feel that, "What the heck! There is nothing to it. I can do it myself and save quite some money." What they do not see is that a professional would ensure not only that the window is carefully installed for best home insulation, but also that it stays so. You would certainly be insured against damages for about 10 years or so.
5. Check out for the Energy Star mark on the windows. The Energy Star indicates that the windows have been checked and endorsed by the Department of Energy, Government of USA. This also means that the Government, before endorsing the windows, has ensured that it conforms to all the specifications meant to save energy optimally. The Energy Star is a brand owned by the US department. Check their website where it is explained carefully how best you could choose the best energy saving windows based upon the gas, the number of panes, the advantages of having double or triple panes and the like. This would help you take an intelligent decision.
Online resources:
- http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/infosource/pub/renovate/Consumers_Guide_EE_Windows_Intro.cfm?text=N*pringview=N – a complete guide on how to buy energy saving windows; it also explains what measures you can take to improve the efficiency of you present windows
- http://www.infolink.com.au/t/Energy-Efficient-Windows - a comprehensive directory that lists some of the best companies and products in the market. Great to compare and enquire about different products to help you come to a decision
- http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/understanding-energy-efficient-windows.aspx - this is a site that explains to you in great detail why and how energy efficient windows are
