A Home Guide To The Energy Efficient Window Installation | Fort Worth, TX

A Home Guide To The Energy Efficient Window Installation | Fort Worth, TX

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The average American home loses 10% of its heat via the windows. Therefore, if you plan on improving your home’s energy efficiency, you should focus reasonable effort on your window. Installing or repairing a window is not entirely about aesthetics.

According to the US Department of Energy, the yearly estimated energy loss in the US resulting from windows amounts to $35 billion. Since this figure is not constant and is expected to rise, there is a need for every homeowner to embrace the concept of energy efficient windows for cost-saving and energy-saving benefits. Below is an expert guide on energy efficient windows and why it is elemental for your Fort Worth, TX property.

What Is an Energy Efficient/ Energy Saving Windows?

Ideally, these are windows designed to prevent cold or hot hair from escaping your home. The simple act of cold or hot hair (resulting from a heating and cooling system) escaping via your windows, vents, or other exit points, means that your HVAC system is heavily strained to maintain a balanced indoor temperature. Consequently, this leads to higher energy usage and, ultimately, higher utility bills.

Energy Star Window Requirements

One of the standards of determining a window’s energy efficiency is its Energy Star rating. The Energy Star Certification is granted to energy efficient windows, skylights, and doors. Generally, ENERGY STAR is the trusted, state-backed symbol for energy efficiency allowing product users to protect the environment and save money by using energy-efficient products.

To earn this certification for these windows, the windows must:

  • Possess NFRC ratings that comply with strict energy efficiency guidelines put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency
  • Tested, certified, and verified independently by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)
  • Manufactured and produced by an ENERGY STAR partner.

How to Select Energy Efficient Windows

Have you opted to replace your current fixtures with energy efficient windows? Fortunately, finding energy efficient options is not hard. With all the standards of quality put in place currently, choosing windows is as simple as checking for compliance through certification.

A window’s energy efficiency is affected by several factors. Window material alone is not sufficient to determine a window’s energy efficiency. Typically, energy efficient options utilize an energy-rating scale from A+++ to E (from highly efficient to lesser efficient). The window glass and frame are assessed and issued a rating showing the widespread impact of the window’s fitting in your home.

Check for the BFRC rating to find the most energy efficient options. Most importantly, remember that an A-rated window is highly energy efficient, more than other lower ratings. In addition, a window with an energy rating also has a U-value.

The U-Factor measures how well a window insulates and the window’s heat transfer rate. Typically, U-Factor/ U-Value is measured on a scale from 0.20 to 1.20. Unlike other rating methods, with the U-Factor, the lower the number on the scale, the more energy-efficient a window is at insulation.

Which Are the Most Energy Efficient Windows?

It is fundamental to note that a window’s shape doesn’t have an impact on its efficiency. While the material heavily impacts the windows’ energy efficiency, other factors come into play that makes certain window types stand out as the best energy-efficient, unlike others.

Though expensive, one of the best windows is simply hiring an expert window installer to install double glazing. Double glazing creates high energy-efficient insulation. Fortunately, you can select from an array of materials, all effective equally. Common contenders include steel, aluminum, wood, composite, or uPVC. However, for added energy efficiency, you can also opt for triple glazing.

How Does Double Glazing and Triple Glazing Increase Energy Efficiency?

Window Materials

An energy-efficient window is designed with two or three glass panes sealed in one unit. The unit is then surrounded by a frame designed with wood, uPVC, or an alternative material. On the one hand, a double-glazed window consists of two glass sheets and a gap between—mostly measuring 16mm. On the other hand, a triple-glazed window uses three glass sheets and two gaps. As such, they are more effective at insulating.

  • Energy Saving Glass

The double glazing effectiveness depends on the materials utilized. The most energy-efficient type for triple and double glazing is low emissivity glass (low-E). This is due to the microscopic metal oxide coating. This coating reflects heat backs inside your home while still allowing light from outside.

How to Make Existing Windows More Energy Efficient

To replace or update?—is always the question for homeowners looking to improve things. Since window replacement can be costly, other homeowners prefer having window experts update the existing fixtures to accommodate the need for energy efficiency. Here are ways that your local window experts can use to make your existing windows more energy efficient.

  • Caulking. This process involves applying window caulk to hinder air seepage. If you feel drafts around the window frames, sealing the area may be an ideal decision. Most weather stripping materials and caulk types tend to last long. As such, ensure you have an expert inspect them at least yearly for continuous weather protection.
  • Adding window treatments to block sunlight and drafts. An insulated drape can increase your window’s energy efficiency during both winter and summer. The thermal insulation minimizes cold drafts and hinders heat from leaving or escaping your home.
  • Awning. The US DoE mentions that awning potentially reduces the solar heat amount gained in the house by up to 65% during summer. This is evident in southern facing windows.
  • Adding Window Films to the Glass
  • Set up storm panels that help in stabilizing indoor temperatures
  • Hanging shutters on the home’s interior and exterior.

How to Install Energy Efficient Windows

Depending on the type of windows you want, installation is not as tedious as you would imagine. Still, it is not as easy either. A lot goes into installing energy efficient windows. A window installation expert can advise you on the best choices for the windows and install them diligently.

If you are looking for energy efficient windows Fort Worth, TX experts, we are here for you. As an industry leader in replacing and installing new windows, Energy Windows Solution provides professional window services. Contact us to replace, repair, or install new energy efficient windows in Fort Worth, TX.