According to Natural Resources Canada, windows “can account for up to 25 percent of total house heat loss.” One effective way to reduce heating demand is by upgrading to energy-efficient, high-performance windows. The process typically involves searching for replacement window companies, comparing specifications and obtaining detailed quotes that are both within your price range while also being high enough quality to improve the overall performance of your building envelope.
Many Home Windows Are Inefficient
Many home builders try to keep their costs low and ensure that their profit is on the high side while building or finishing a house. One of the ways they achieve this is by installing cheap, low-quality, energy-consuming windows.
To know if your windows are energy-consuming or energy-efficient, you should examine your windows to determine whether they get hot during the summer and cold in the winter.
You can also check if your windows get foggy or cloudy. If they do, you have been using energy-consuming windows, and you have been losing money due to their inefficiency.
Here are some things to check to determine if your windows are inefficient:
Air leaks – you can often feel air coming in through the window. If you’re not sure, light some incense and hold it up to different parts of the window. If the smoke blows away from the window, there’s air leakage.
Moisture and mould – moisture between the panes of the window, or mould on the frame or wall is a good indication that the window isn’t tight.
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Damaged sealant – Cracked sealant isn’t functioning like it should and will make your windows less efficient.
Single panes – older windows could be single-pane, which are the least efficient type of window.
Frame material – window frames are usually made of vinyl, aluminum or wood. Their different efficiency ratings determine how much energy can pass through.
How Energy-Efficient Windows Work
Energy-efficient windows possess several features that boost their energy-saving performance.
Efficiency is increased by adding more panes to the windows to reduce heat loss in the winter. While old windows often are single pane, new windows are either double or triple-pane, which help to reduce heat transfer through the window.
Taking it a step further, energy-efficient windows that have low-e glass, excel at keeping the warmth inside the house from escaping, and in summer keeping the heat outside from entering the house because they have a film that restricts UV and infrared rays from entering the house. Curious about low-e glass? Read The Pros and Cons of Low-E Glass for a more detailed take on this topic.
The overall efficiency of a window depends on the size of the window and the components of the entire window assembly – much heat transfer can occur within the window frame.
Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows
The advantages of energy-efficient windows are numerous. Here’s an overview of the greatest benefits:
- They provide high insulation, which reduce energy bills, as well as the carbon footprints of the homes they’re installed in.
- They help maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature in the home.
- Low-e glass offers protection against UV (ultraviolet) rays. This preserves wood, furniture, fabrics, rugs, carpets and paintings.
- Their unique features can also increase their soundproofing ability by reducing exterior noises.
Feature image: Emil Zimmermann; Image 1: Pixabay
