Window Selection Tips: Choosing The Best Energy Efficient Windows For Your Home | Fort Worth, TX
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Windows are responsible for about 30 percent of the heating energy lost in a home. Installing energy efficient windows on newly built houses or during home improvement projects is something you should consider for your residential property. Using energy saving windows helps you to avoid expensive lighting, cooling, and heating bills.
The windows are made of diverse materials such as low E-glass, multiple panels, metallic and non-metallic spacers, and frames that are useful in insulation and increase the indoor air quality of your home.
There are different materials and designs of windows that you can choose from to help reduce your energy expenses and make your home comfortable and beautiful with a substantial increase in its value. When shopping for energy efficient windows for your home the following are some of the tips to consider.
Window Energy Ratings
To get the best energy efficient windows, you will start by looking for ENERGY STAR-qualified products. The windows have the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) ratings and are tested, certified, and verified by the organization.
Windows manufacturers comply with the set energy efficient procedures formulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure quality is maintained throughout the production processes.
You should select windows that add comfort to your home in terms of controlling its indoor air temperatures. Some windows add warmth to homes while others increase the cooling effect in homes.
The appropriate windows for homeowners in Fort Worth, TX, based in the South Central zone, must have a U-factor of less than 0.30. The U-factor ranges between 0.25 and 1.25 and measures the heat transfer rate in windows. Low U-factors indicate that the windows are good insulators.
The other performance rating to check in the ENERGY STAR windows is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) that ranges from 0 to 1. Buying windows with SHGC lower than O.25 for your home is wise because they transmit less solar heat into your home.
Windows with lower air leakage values, higher visible transmittance, and condensation resistance are the best windows for your home located in the south-central part of Texas. Therefore, choosing suitable energy efficient windows requires you to consider the NFRC performance ratings that will add climate-related comfort to your family.
Material Types
Energy efficient windows have multiple panes filled with odorless and colorless gases such as argon and krypton for better insulation. The windows also have Low-E glass that reflects the infrared light, which retains heat in your home during winter and locks it out during summer.
The glass also protects your furnishings from fading because it blocks a substantial percentage of dangerous ultraviolet light responsible for 40- 60 percent of fading fabrics. The high-performance windows also have metallic or non-metallic spacers that help to regulate the level of heat transmission into your house through the windows.
Additionally, window frames are an essential part of these windows, making them stand strong against harsh weather, including storms. In selecting the best and quality frame materials for your windows, you should consider factors such as durability and maintenance levels.
The framing materials should be efficient in reducing heat transfer to your residential living space through proper insulation. Each material has its pros and cons, and the type you opt for must ensure lower consumption of power and increased comfort in terms of warmth and coolness. The market in Fort Worth, TX, has a wide variety of energy efficient window framing materials, including, wooden, aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass, composite, and plastic.
Fiberglass is known to be strong, durable, and requires low maintenance. Vinyl is known for its good thermal insulation and its low upkeep costs. Aluminum is recyclable, has high strength, and is resistant to corrosion and environmental hazards. Wood is the commonly used framing material for energy efficient windows meant for mansions, apartments, cottages, and townhouses because of its high durability, attractive appearance, ease of maintenance, and environmental friendliness. Other types such as composite and plastic window frames are also in the market.
Fenestration
Another tip that helps homeowners to choose the best windows for their home is fenestration. Fenestration means openings in your home tailored to accommodate windows, skylights, and doors. The window openings improve your homes’ level of eco-friendliness because they allow natural light, reducing lighting bills for dark rooms during the day.
Fenestration also improves indoor air quality when the windows get opened for fresh air circulation. With proper fenestration planning for your home, the energy-efficient windows in your home will stay warmer and control condensation.
Therefore, for the high performance of energy efficient windows, having your window openings in positions that allow sunlight or fresh air to penetrate your house is vital.
Style and Size of Windows
There is a spectrum of energy efficient window styles in the market that you can select to install in your home. The design of the windows you choose will depend on your personal preferences in terms of functionality, quality, home architecture, budget, and aesthetic appearance.
The various window styles available in the market include awning, bay and bow, casement, double-hung, sliding, transom, window wall, and fixed. The shape of the window openings will also determine the style of energy efficient window you will purchase.
Installation
After selecting the type of energy saving windows you need in terms of style, framing materials, and size, installing the windows is the next important step. Perfect and accurate installation of the windows in the fenestration openings is crucial in giving your residential property the appeal and functionality it deserves.
If a non-qualified professional install the windows in your new home construction or during home improvements, then your efforts and resources to benefit from the high-performing windows may go to waste. Ensure you seek help from a certified and experienced window specialist if you choose to have energy efficient windows installed in your home.
Contact Us Today
If you want to upgrade to energy efficient windows from the traditional ones, you should consider calling Energy Window Solutions, a reputable company with experienced technicians. The professional contractors have the skills and the necessary equipment and tools to ensure they install your new residential windows accurately for peak performance and optimal functionality.