Are you considering energy-efficient windows for you home? Homeowners today are becoming more and more aware of how their buying choices affect their long-term savings especially when it comes to utility costs and the amount of money they spend to heat and cool their home throughout the year. The type of insulation in your home, its entryway doors, and your home’s windows all affect your overall costs for heating and cooling.
Replacing single-pane windows with double-glazed or triple-glazed windows might translate to a savings of $125 to $465 per home, on average. Upgrading from double-glazed to energy-efficient windows can mean saving an additional $25 to $100 per year.
If you’re a homeowner in the market for new windows, or are interested in improving your home’s overall appearance and interior comfort levels, you might note the benefits of energy-efficient windows and doors. It’s also good to consider some simple but effective tips for improving the overall energy efficiency and interior insulation of your home, so you spend as little money as possible on heating and cooling throughout the year and also avoid unnecessary wear and tear on your furnace and air conditioner.
Energy-efficient windows are an especially important choice for budget-conscious homeowners, as they can help you see a significant decrease in your utility bills while creating a more comfortable interior environment. To better understand the benefits of energy-efficient windows, you might first note how these windows work and what sets them apart from standard residential windows. It’s also good to understand a few basic features of residential windows and entryway doors.
Along with better interior insulation, there are many other benefits to having new windows installed in your home. One benefit is that old windows may have shifted out of place over the years and especially as a home itself settles and shifts, resulting in cracks and leaks around the window frames. These cracks let out your heating and air conditioning and create a stuff, drafty, or overly humid interior environment.
Older windows can also suffer from scratching and etching along the exterior glass, the result of storm damage, sun exposure, and age. These scratches let in heat and cold and create a cloudy, dirty look along the surface of the glass; no amount of power washing can get damaged windows clean and clear! New windows are free of damage and look cleaner overall.
New, double-glazed windows with argon and other glazing options also block out more sound waves from outside your home! Not only will your home’s interior temperature be more comfortable with new windows, but you might also notice that it’s quieter inside the home after the installation of your new energy-efficient windows.
Most homes are outfitted with standard single-hung windows, meaning two panes or sashes, the lower of which moves up and down. Choosing new windows allows you the opportunity to upgrade their style and design, which can also improve your home’s interior comfort.
For example, bow or bay windows jut out from the home, which then allows in more light, creating a brighter and warmer environment. Casement windows open along the side of the window pane, like a door, allowing in more fresh air. An awning window opens from the bottom outward so you can keep windows open during a rainstorm and bring in some fresh air even when the weather is not optimal!
Double-hung windows with upper panes that slide up and down also allow you to control the amount of fresh air or wind in the home, while tilt-in windows make it easier to clean the outside glass. Cleaner glass lets in more sunlight so that your home’s interior is brighter and more welcoming and warmer during wintertime.
Homeowners often don’t realize that their home’s entryway doors also affect the overall comfort of their interior spaces. Make sure when choosing energy efficient windows you always get the best ones that are Energy Star Certified. Consider some reasons why you might choose energy-efficient doors along with new windows:
While upgraded, energy-efficient windows and doors can help insulate a home and reduce your energy costs, these are not the only ways of increasing a home’s energy efficiency! Note a few additional tips for making your home more energy-efficient overall:
How easy is it to break a double-glazed window?
The two panes of glass that make up a double-glazed window are tightly sealed with air or argon gas between them, which works to absorb impact and vibrations. This added absorption makes it very difficult to break those panes and rarely do they separate or crack.
How long do windows last?
Vinyl and PVC window frames can last up to 40 years. Aluminum window frames are often prone to dents and dings and don’t last as long, and exposure to high heat and extreme weather conditions can affect the overall longevity of your home’s windows.
Are energy-efficient windows tax deductible?
Only an accountant can tell you if energy-efficient doors and windows are tax deductible, depending on your area, time of installation, and the tax laws that year. Tax credits might also allows for a rebate of a portion of your purchase and installation costs rather than your entire purchase price.