Experts say that replacing windows and doors is the fourth most common home improvement project and can cut utility bills by a lot. But when it comes to choosing options that use less energy, consumers may be confused by the whirlwind of new technologies, terms, and choices on the market today.
Homeowners need accurate information to make the best decisions out of the many options they have. This is especially true as the price of energy keeps going up. The Energy Star programme of the Environmental Protection Agency says that a typical home can save between $125 and $340 a year by replacing single-pane windows with windows that meet the Energy Star standards.
Since this is the time of year when many people start home improvement projects, here are five basic tips for choosing the most energy-efficient windows and doors for your home.
Use glass with low-E. Choose windows with Low-E glass, which limits how much heat moves through the window and keeps heat from escaping in the winter. Jeld-Wen is a company that makes windows and doors. They now come with Low-E glass as standard for their wood and clad wood windows and as an upgrade option for their vinyl windows.
Upgrade your tech. Replace older windows with single panes with double-paned windows, which keep out both cold and hot weather. By using both Low-E glass and insulating glass, a home's energy costs will go down.
Take into account how they're made. Choose doors with cores, sills, and frames that are energy-efficient and block the flow of energy. They will be weatherproof and save energy because they have two panes of Low-E glass. For example, studies show that polystyrene-coated steel doors keep their energy ratings better over time than polyurethane-coated steel doors.
Know what the rules are. The U-factor, which is the amount of heat that moves through a product, is used to rate its efficiency. The product is more efficient if its U-factor is low. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which shows how well a window blocks heat from the sun, is another way to measure efficiency. The SHGC should be as low as possible. Lastly, experts look at the percentage of sunlight that can get through a window or door. This is called the Visible Light Transmission. More light will come through the glass if the percentage is higher.
Don't get distracted by bells and whistles. There are many ways for a manufacturer to improve its efficiency. One of the easiest ways to find products that use the least amount of energy, no matter what technology is used, is to look for the Energy Star label.