| Real quick…Here are seven reasons to install | | | | winters and states with extremely hot summers. With |
| energy efficient windows: | | | | these windows insulating well, homeowners spend less |
| - Save energy | | | | on heating and air conditioning bills. Energy efficient |
| - Save money from using less heating or AC | | | | windows also improve the house due to their |
| - Add to appearance of the house | | | | attractive appearance, though not all energy efficient |
| - Protect a home's interior furnishings from fading | | | | windows are the same. Homeowners have choices |
| - Higher impact resistance | | | | concerning main parts of the window, such as the |
| - Make outside noise less audible | | | | frame, panes, and spacers. |
| - Insulate your home better, keeping it warm in the | | | | Parts of the Window |
| winter and cool in the summer | | | | - The frame |
| With reasons like those, it's no wonder energy efficient | | | | Look for windows that have fiberglass, wood |
| windows are all the rage. If your windows need to be | | | | composites, or vinyl because these materials are |
| repaired or even replaced, consider installing energy | | | | better at insulating. One negative aspect of using |
| efficient windows. | | | | wood material for framing is that wood can be difficult |
| How exactly do I pick out energy efficient windows? | | | | to maintain, often needing painting after a few years. |
| When picking out energy efficient windows, you want | | | | Thus, if you choose to frame your windows using |
| to look for windows that are Energy Star certified. | | | | wood material, it's advised to get some exterior vinyl |
| Energy Star was developed by the Department of | | | | or aluminum cladding to cover the wood frame. |
| Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The | | | | - Window Panes |
| government program's purpose is to help individuals | | | | If wondering whether having multiple window panes is |
| and organizations protect the environment through | | | | preferred to having one window pane, remember the |
| energy efficiency. The standard does not just apply to | | | | phrase 'Two is Better than One' or 'The More the |
| windows but to other products as well. | | | | Merrier.' Two panes of glass with space in between |
| For the purpose of this article, we will be taking a look | | | | filled with air or krypton or argon insulates better than |
| at windows that are Energy Star certified. What | | | | just one pane of glass does. Certain Energy Star |
| makes windows Energy Star certified? Any Energy | | | | windows have windows with three or more panes of |
| Star product including windows must meet the | | | | glass, which do the best job of insulating and have |
| following criteria: | | | | greatest the impact resistance as well as improved |
| - Have an NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) | | | | energy efficiency. Another benefit of multiple panes is |
| label. The NFRC tests the insulating quality of the entire | | | | that they keep outside noise out better than a single |
| window. | | | | glass pane does. |
| - Be 40% more efficient than the product usually | | | | - Low-E glass coating |
| requires under most building codes. | | | | Low-E coating is a special coating on the window that |
| - Reduce energy bills by up to 15%. | | | | is great to have. It reflects infrared light to keep heat |
| Customers cannot just rely on the Energy Star label to | | | | outside in the summer and inside in the winter. It also |
| pick out a good energy efficient window though. An | | | | reflects ultraviolet light to protect a home's interior |
| important consideration for consumers is to select | | | | furnishings from fading. |
| windows that are appropriate for the area of the | | | | - Warm Edge Spacers |
| country in which they live. Energy Star labels windows | | | | Warm edge spacers are great for reducing heat flow |
| three ways: | | | | and preventing condensation. Made of foam, steel, |
| - "N" for northern climates | | | | fiberglass, or vinyl, they keep a window's glass panes |
| - "S" for southern climates | | | | the right distance apart. |
| - "C" for central climates | | | | There are many brands of energy efficient windows |
| The three types of windows are designed to address | | | | from which to choose. Manufacturers include those |
| the heating or cooling concerns in each climate: mostly | | | | such as Accent Windows, Andersen, Cascade |
| heating for the Northern Zone, mostly cooling for the | | | | Windows, CertainTeed, Gorell, Marvin, Winstrom, and |
| Southern Zone, and both heating and cooling for the | | | | many more. Home improvement companies select |
| Central North Zone and Central South Zone. | | | | which manufacturer brand they would like to make |
| How Energy Efficient Windows Improve the House | | | | available to their customers. For example, Highland |
| Aside from saving energy, energy efficient windows | | | | Windows, a Connecticut home improvement company |
| are particularly fantastic in states that can get | | | | based in Hartford is licensed to install Alside, another |
| extremely cold. These windows work to make homes | | | | energy efficient window manufacturer, which has won |
| warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, which | | | | The Energy Star Window of the Year Award three |
| becomes particularly evident in states with very cold | | | | times. |