7 Tips For Buying Energy Efficient Windows | Fort Worth, TX
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Energy efficient windows can help keep your home at a comfortable temperature and save you money on your utility bills, making them a popular option with homeowners in Fort Worth, TX. They’re good news for the environment too, allowing eco-conscious users to reduce their carbon footprint and waste less energy. Which ones you should install depends on various factors, and it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different kinds before you buy. So, which windows are right for your home?
Key Factors to Look Out For
It’s reasonable to expect that installing any new windows will improve your home’s efficiency to some extent. However, the type of windows you choose and how you have them installed will have a major impact on the efficiency and performance of your new windows. When you’re choosing new windows for your home it’s important to consider these key features.
1. Glass Type
Triple-paned glass will yield the best results when it comes to increasing your home’s efficiency and comfort, although dual-paned glass still insulates twice as effectively as single-pane. Look for a company that inserts argon gas between the panes as this helps to improve the window’s insulation ability and cuts down on heat transfer. Many companies offer impact-resistant glass to protect your new windows against damage.
2. Low-e Coatings
Look for a company that offers Low-emissivity coatings to get the most out of your new windows and make your home more comfortable. These coatings provide additional heat protection depending on the position of the window in your home and the climate. Low-e coatings can prevent heat loss from your home in the winter or stop excessive heat getting inside in the summer, keeping your indoor environment at a pleasant temperature all year round. You can also get Low-e coatings that block out harmful UV rays to protect your furnishings and other items from fading.
3. Frame Materials
The frames make up around 20% of your window’s overall surface area, so they are an important component in energy efficient windows. Choosing the correct frames can significantly improve overall performance. However, you should also take the local weather conditions into account. If you live in an area that sometimes experiences extreme weather, choosing durable frames is paramount.
As a rule, wood, fiberglass, and vinyl frames are more energy-efficient than metal ones. Wood and fiberglass frames are excellent insulators, with fiberglass performing best at withstanding harsh conditions. Multi Chambered vinyl frames are simple to look after and minimize heat loss from your home.
4. Follow EnergyStar Recommendations
Choosing EnergyStar qualified windows ensures that they will perform correctly according to the climate where you live. There are four US EnergyStar Zones: Northern, North-Central, South-Central, and Southern. Fort Worth, TX, is located in the South-Central Zone. Every EnergyStar qualified window states which zones it is appropriate for, so check before you buy.
Although EnergyStar recommendations are a great way of making sure that you get the right energy efficient windows for your area, each home is unique in terms of design, position, and window number/size. Ask any potential supplier to take these factors into account before ordering windows from them.
5. Check NFRC Performance Ratings
The National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC) rates entire window units for efficiency, which is a better way to look at the performance of the entire setup than center-of-glass measurements.
The NFRC rating has two key components: the U-Factor measurement and the SHGC. The U-Factor shows how much heat can escape from the unit per hour, with a lower number indicating better insulating efficiency. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) shows how much heat can enter your home through the window unit, with a lower number indicating less heat entry. This system makes it easier for consumers to directly compare energy efficient window options. Choosing windows with low U-Factor and SHGC values is generally the best course of action to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
6. Understand Air Seals
Although there are lots of different types of windows with varying aesthetics and functions, it’s most important to understand the two main types of air seal when you’re shopping for energy efficient windows.
Swinging windows like awnings and casements have compression seals, which means that they lock tightly against their weatherstripping when you shut them. This type of seal is more energy-efficient than those found on vertical or horizontal sliding windows like double-hungs.
If you prefer the look of sliding windows, you’ll need to make a decision balancing aesthetics with the level of insulation you want. A potential compromise is to install a combination of sliding and compression seal energy efficient windows to increase your setup’s overall insulation performance.
7. Ensure Correct Installation
Even if you buy the most energy efficient windows available, they won’t perform properly and offer optimal comfort unless you install them properly. Installation protocol depends on the type of energy efficient windows you buy, your home’s structure and cladding, and the type of weather-resistant barrier present (if you have one).
Be sure to have your new windows installed by a professional company according to the manufacturer’s instructions, or they may not work efficiently and you could void your warranty.
Call a Trusted Fort Worth Window Expert
To get the best from your new energy efficient windows, you should have them installed by experts. The friendly and knowledgeable team at Energy Window Solutions can help you at every stage of the process, from choosing the right energy efficient windows for your property to installation. We stock a range of high-quality window options and can advise you on the perfect solution for your unique home.