Factors that Affect Window Efficiency | Energy Efficient Windows in Lewisville, TX
The advances in technology has revolutionized the window industry in the past 10 years are so. The so-called energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX perform exceptionally well, and help you keep out the heat in summers and the cold in winters. Which factors have the most notable effect on the overall performance of these energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX? Low-E coatings, gas filled panes and insulated frames are the three biggest factors. Let’s take a look at all of these and understand their impact on the performance of energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX.
Low-E Coatings
If you have installed standard windows, then the sun’s energy can easily pass through the pane and inside the house during the day. At night, the infrared heat is emitted back to the exterior in the form of radiative heat losses. Thus, standard glass panes can be referred to as high emissivity panes. This issue is addressed by coating energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX with a low emissivity material, referred to as low-E coating.
A low-E coating is actually a thin metal layer, invisible to the naked eye, and applied directly to the glazing surface. Considering double pane energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX, this coating is applied to the glazing on the inside. A low-E coating functions in a dual manner, acting opaque to infrared energy and transparent to short wave solar energy. Thus, most of the rays in the sun’s spectrum can pass inside including visible light. Inside the house, the heat energy radiating from temperature objects is reflected back towards the source. So the heat stays inside during the cold days. In the summer season, the heat of warm objects outside the house is kept outside, which helps in maintaining colder temperatures inside the house.
If double glazed energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX feature a low-E coating on one side, then the insulating value is almost the same as standard triple glazed windows, but their weight is less because there is no third pane of glass. This is beneficial in the sense that the hinges, casement and other window components suffer from a lower degree of wear tear, resulting in improved operations and greater durability. Plus, the overall costs are lesser than the ones associated with standard triple pane windows.
Low-E coatings do result in solar gain losses, but this is compensated with the significant improvement in insulative properties. Another benefit is that limited UV rays pass inside, and hence, fabrics and carpets don’t fade so easily.
Gas Fills
Filling inert gas in the space between window glazing also results in energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX. Inert is a term used for stable and safe gases. Generally, argon and krypton are used with the former being the most popular choice, simply because it’s more economical.
Injecting inert gases into the pane of energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX has two main benefits. The first is the reduction in conduction losses; argon is less conducive than air. The second benefit is the decrease in convection losses; argon weighs more than air, suppressing movement between the panes.
Krypton results in somewhat better performance of energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX. Generally, it is used when pane spacing is about 8 mm, resulting in smaller area between the glazing. Thus, lower krypton volume is required to fill it up. Krypton is more expensive than argon, so the smaller area helps bring costs down.
Special Films
Low-E coatings can also be suspended in the airspace between the glazing when applied to a sheet of transparent polyester. They can also be sprayed directly on the inside surface of the glazing. The net effect is higher solar transmission while still maintaining low emissivity. In other cases, these suspended films are designed such that solar transmission is reduced; emissivity is kept low even in this case. Windows of these types are ideal for regions where solar gains can cause problems during summers.
Special films are effective, but they should be chosen correctly depending on the application at hand. Talk to us at Energy Window Solutions, and we’ll suggest practical options after considering your needs.
Efforts are also being made to make these special films smarter. For instance, certain electrochromic films feature an electrolyte layer through which current passes, providing a means to control sunlight passing through the energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX. Pressure sensitive films are another option and can be applied directly to existing windows. They are mostly suitable for the commercial market but are characterized by low solar transmission.
Conductivity Spacers
We’ve discussed both low-E coatings and gas fills now. The first of these are used for reducing radiation losses, whereas the second option reduces conduction and convection losses. Some heat loss also occurs through spacers, which are mostly made from aluminum, an extremely good conductor of heat. However, newly designed spacers are made from other materials and are characterized by low conductivity. If these are used, performance improvements up to 20% can be noted compared to standard energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX.
Improved spaces also ensure that the inside glass is warmer, reducing thermal stresses and the chances of condensation in winters.
Frame Materials
Framer materials influence the overall performance of energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX. Rather than using any single material, it is much better to use a composite that combines different materials, cashing onto pros of each. The most energy efficient frames can be realized when fiberglass is used as the main material, along with foam insulation within the inside cavities.
As a rule of the thumb, if energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX feature low-E coatings, inert gas fillings and low conductivity spaces, then a material that minimizes conductive heat losses should be used for the frame. Frames also affect solar gain. If higher values are desired, thn frames and sashes should narrower so as to increase the glazing area, but they should be composed of stronger materials.
If you want more information about how performance of energy efficient windows in Lewisville, TX is affected, reach out to us.