Is it Time for Energy Efficient Windows? Yes. Just Add Up Those Positives.

October 23rd, 2011 by Guest Contributor

There are plenty of ways manufacturers can meet the standard of being “energy efficient”. A lot of it is pretty technical for average people. From the homeowner’s point of view, when you are purchasing energy efficient, you are looking to purchase windows that represent a measurable improvement in keeping cold out on cold days and heat out on hot days. Obviously, the idea is keeping things cool when you want it cool and warm when you want it warm. Windows play a huge part in what comfort result you are experiencing inside your house by greatly influencing the costs to keep it the way you want it.

Windows themselves represent a heating and cooling retention “black hole” for a house. Almost without fail windows are deficient because their existence represents a downgrade from the better-insulated remainder of the dwelling. Heat and cold tend to escape or invade through windows over most other spots in a home. The goal with windows is to be as small a downgrade from the remainder of the dwelling as possible while still allowing desired light in and being able to see out.

In extreme climates such as the North in the winter or the deep South and Southwest in the summer, the worse the energy efficiency of a window, the more you’ll likely have to run the heat or the air to keep the inside of the home comfortable. Look around you and you’ll see that the cost of heating or cooling is tied to electricity or natural gas. Those costs continue to rise and good luck finding anywhere those rates project to even remain flat. With a true energy efficient set of windows for your home, it won’t take long to recoup the replacement costs.

Windows represent an important part of the puzzle approach available to a home owner to increase the energy efficiency of the home. There are more than 20 installations or upgrades which will increase a home’s energy efficiency, and decrease the energy costs you’ll pay every month on your home. Windows are a super place to start because not only do poor windows increase your costs by 30% or more in extreme weather conditions, but new energy efficient windows stand to instantly increase both the aesthetic quality of your home as well as the resale value.

Besides cost savings more consistent comfort, there’s lots more goodies coming in your way for installing energy efficient windows. Start with style. This isn’t the boring world of the dull cramped electric car. True energy efficient windows aren’t those ugly and gloom inducing tinted windows that immediately spring to mind when you think energy efficiency. Because of government mandates throughout the country requiring energy efficiency in new builds, builders have had to create an entire line of offerings giving consumers loads of choices in picking a pane style, size, and shape that fits their ideal for appearance.

The inside of the home will be more comfortable room to room and even spot to spot too. This is because hot and cold spots created by poor hot or cold air capture with older windows are eliminated by energy efficient windows. The inside of the home also benefits in appearance. Energy efficient windows cut off harmful wood and color fading UV rays by 98%. Energy efficient windows also reduce wood and fabric condensation. They even do a much improved job blocking out unwanted exterior noise.

The tipping factor for many that makes energy efficient windows even more enticing is the government incentives in the form of credits against your tax bill for installing them. There are specific requirements that the windows must meet to qualify for the Federal credit and the availability and requirements for state credits vary. When you are shopping around, keep your tax preparer or accountant on the horn to get the exact specs to qualify for the current tax year. Also keep in mind that greater incentives are likely available if you undertake other energy efficient upgrades in conjunction with replacing your windows.

Sean has specialized in contractor marketing since 2003, helping thousands of contractors build and market their businesses. As Chief Executive of Green Training USA, Sean has created Home Energy Team, a turn-key business and marketing solution which takes all the guesswork out of running a home performance business. The Home Energy Team platform helps energy auditors, contractors and those with no previous experience establish profitable businesses in the home energy efficiency industry. Visit www.HomeEnergyTeam.com for more.

Windows photo via shutterstock

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Tags: energy efficient windows, windows

About the Author

Guest Contributor is many, many people. We publish a number of guest posts from experts in a large variety of fields. This is our contributor account for those special people. :D

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http://www.conservatoriesincornwall.com/double-glazed-windows.html LuLuJam

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Frank Hanlan

As information on web sites devoted to energy efficient building have noted, energy efficient windows are expensive and payback takes a long time. Sealing cracks and gaps around windows, doors and floors together with ensuring there is abundant insulation in the attic can provide better savings and faster payback.

In addition any decision to change the exterior of a house should be viewed as a once in the lifetime of a house opportunity to upgrade the air tightness and insulation of the exterior walls.
http://twitter.com/mypowerstation David Lipschitz

I’ve heard that in extremely hot environments, Double and Triple Glazing windows do make a difference, but there is still heat transfer into the building. We have been researching the possibility of drizzling cold water down the outside of the windows. Has anyone done this?
- Anonymous
  
  Look into “low e” windows. Double glazed with a thin heat reflective film inside the outer pane. Argon filled.
  
  I put them in my house and they make a big difference keeping the heat outside. And inside during the winter.
- Anonymous
  
  Just remembered something…
  
  Many years back I owned a house with a wonderful view and two 4’x6′ single pane windows along with some smaller windows and a glass slider installed so that one could enjoy the view.
  
  Unfortunately the view was southwest of the house and the climate danged hot in the summer. I cooked. The AC couldn’t keep the house cool on a hot day and the electricity bill hurt.
  
  I tried roll down bamboo shades but they were a pain and generally lasted only a season (even with taking them down in the winter).
  
  I had someone make me some large aluminum screens made with ‘solar screen’. It’s something like screen wire but made of fiberglass(?) and rather than thin wires it has flat strips.
  
  It supposedly cuts 90% of the heat but you can still see through it without problems. It makes the outside appear a bit darker, something like wearing sun glasses.
  
  I would take the screens down in the fall and let the solar gain help heat my house, put them back up in the spring. They were in fine shape when I sold the house a few years later.
Stan

Don’t forget to add up the dollars also, then try to derive a decent payback on the honest savings.
Chittaluru Akil

Well the most obvious answer in my mind is to make solar cell windows (I realize that that’s not as simple as it sounds). I’ve read that dssc windows are a possibility, although I don’t see why other kinds are not possible either… Are there any products like that out there?