Pros And Cons Of Smart Energy Efficient Windows For Homes | Fort Worth, TX
Smart windows are among the best-advanced windows with energy-saving and generation abilities. Also known as switchable smart glass windows, they open up worlds of possibilities for people that want stylish, functional, and practical windows to enhance the curb appeal of their homes.
These energy efficient windows use chromogenic technologies, including electrochromic, thermochromic, and photochromic. They change the glass color in response to external heat, light, and electricity.
You can choose from numerous options, including sound-insulating windows, fire-resistant glass, double glazed windows for installation.
Read on to learn the pros and cons of smart or switchable glass windows if you are looking for new windows for your new constructions or upgrading your old building.
Advantages of Smart Glass Windows
Translates Sunlight to Electricity
Unlike conventional windows, smart windows have solar cells that capture sunlight and convert it to electricity. They use photoelectric conversion efficiency of 18.24 percent to safely generate energy that is useful for operating smart glass.
The converted energy can help change the smart glass from opaque to clear when you want enough light illumination in your space or activate the anti-freeze features during winter. When you change the glass from visible to opaque, the solar cells absorb the excess sunlight reflecting from your windows.
Improves Thermal Comfort
Since smart windows are highly efficient, especially the double-glazed option, they increase indoor comfort during winter and summer seasons.
The energy efficient windows prevent heat loss and gain to enhance thermal comfort indoors, which ensures you and your loved ones are healthy and productive.
They reduce the possibility of conditioned heat or air escaping, leaving your space with optimal temperature, humidity, and conditioned air, making it comfortable.
Reduces Glare
Folks in Fort Worth, TX also go for smart windows because they reduce glare in homes, promoting eye health.
As much as sunlight streaming into your house can provide beautiful illumination during the day, it can also be a nuisance if it causes glare. Smart windows can control the amount of light entering your rooms, preventing issues such as eye strain.
Those with tungsten-doped vanadium dioxide coating effectively reflect infrared light to block sunlight from penetrating through the windows. The light-blocking glazing film in energy efficient windows can strike a balance between the harmful glares and the benefits of natural light in homes.
Energy Efficiency
Smart windows are also energy efficient as they help reduce energy consumption. They have a low-E coating and multiple glazing that improve thermal performance by significantly reducing heat gain and loss, which accounts for at most 30 percent of energy usage.
Choosing smart windows can prevent HVAC systems in your home from working and spiking utility bills. The light-blocking film in the smart energy efficient windows also stops the harmful u-v rays from entering through the windows to maintain the structural integrity of the furniture.
No More Window Coverings
Another benefit of having smart windows is that you will no longer need window coverings like curtains, shades, and blinds for privacy.
Smart glass windows can change from transparent to visible in response to external aspects such as heat, electricity, or light.
There is no need for curtains as you can also command the smart energy efficient windows to remain in opaque form during the day by increasing electricity voltage.
Privacy
Instead of using blinds and curtains to provide privacy, switchable windows are a superior option for meeting your privacy demands. Thermochromic hydrogel smart windows feature light-regulating abilities that you can use to change transmittance from visible to opaque.
The thermochromic hydrogel of intelligent windows switches from transparent to nontransparent, depending on the window temperatures.
The energy efficient windows possess RF remote controls or voice commands that homeowners in Fort Worth, TX utilize to control their privacy levels by changing them from clear to frost or opaque and vice versa.
Increases Home Value and Beauty
In addition to the above advantages, smart windows enhance homes’ curb appeal and value. The electrochromic glass changes colors depending on voltage.
Having a window technician in Fort Worth, TX install these energy efficient windows with colors that blend perfectly with your home design and decor can make your home attractive. The windows also increase your home value as they might attract home buyers who fancy smart technologies.
Drawbacks of Smart Windows
Complex Installation
Smart windows require the expertise and skills of experienced and qualified window technicians to install them for peak performance. They have numerous parts that need correct installation to make them work perfectly in sync.
The hired window specialists should possess a solid understanding of smart windows and their components, including solar cells, single or double-glazed glass, hydrogel glass, and ITO glass.
Since installing energy efficient windows is a long and complex process, hire window specialists with extensive knowledge and skills in smart windows for the best results.
Expensive
Cost is a primary drawback that can make you reconsider buying smart windows. Before purchasing the windows, it is wise to make a cost-benefit analysis to know if it is worth it.
The price can also vary from one manufacturer or brand to the other, depending on the features.
Requires Electricity to Operate
As much as the electrochromic glass windows generate electricity by converting sunlight to power, you might have to plug them into a power source during winter.
After helping you save up to 30 percent of energy in a household, you still have to use electricity to operate them, making the entire investment expensive in the long run. If you are not ready to pay more utility bills, stay in your lane and go for non-electric energy-efficient windows.
Windows Are Not Widespread
Unlike other conventional windows, which are readily available in most window markets, including online, finding smart windows can be challenging.
So, before settling on the windows for installation, ensure you can get enough windows to complete your house from a nearby place.
Call Us Today!
If you want the best smart windows for your new or old building, you can contact Energy Window Solutions. We address numerous window issues for our commercial and residential customers for 100 percent satisfaction.
Our professionals and friendly technicians at Energy Window Solutions offer window replacement and installation services. Reach out to us whenever you want quality and top-notch energy efficient windows and services.