Choosing The Most Energy Efficient Windows

General Questions About Our Energy Efficient Window Choices

Here at Universal Windows Direct, we provide some of the industry’s most energy-saving windows for our customers. When you choose our energy-efficient windows, you can get the insulation you need to lower your monthly bills, keeping your house warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and giving you big energy savings.

Are All Old Windows Horrible at Energy Efficiency?

Some old windows do have poor energy efficiency. Generally, if your existing windows are more than 30 years old, you should replace them. Of course, if there are cracks in the glass panes or visible damage, you’re due for replacement windows.

However, that doesn’t mean that every old window has inadequate thermal protection and insulation. If your annual heating bills are high, of course you should look into whether your windows have the performance abilities to keep your house insulated properly. Sometimes, you can get away with replacing old windows with storm windows, which are some of the most efficient and affordable windows you can get.

Do New Windows Really Save Money?

Did you know that the average household can save up to 12% each year on heating and cooling bills when upgrading to new energy-efficient windows? While your individual savings will depend on several factors related to one’s home and climate, for the most part, you’re going to get big energy savings.

You can also get energy-efficient windows by customizing the type of glass. For example, double pane glass will provide better insulation than single plane glass, and triple-pane glass offers even more insulation.

Another popular style is windows with inert gas between the panes of glass. Typically, the gas inside is either argon gas or krypton gas. It helps reduce heat transfer and increase heat gain, giving it excellent energy-saving properties.

You can also get Low E glass (low emissivity) that reduces the amount of solar radiation that penetrates through the glass. That helps protect the interior of your home and reduces the amount of fade and UV damage because of the special coating on the window glass.

Is Vinyl the Most Energy-Efficient Material for Windows?

While many people say that the vinyl window style is the most energy-efficient, this may not necessarily be the case. In some cases, old hardwood can be a more energy-efficient material for window frames, sashes, and trims due to the dense nature of the tree’s wood and rings, which are superior natural insulators.

However, if you want vinyl windows, you can rest assured that you’ll still get outstanding energy efficiency, whether you choose single pane windows or double pane windows. You can also add foam insulation to increase your window’s energy efficiency even more.

Window Replacement or Storm Windows: Which Is Better for Energy Efficiency?

Storm windows are one of the most energy-efficient window types, especially compared to getting a complete window replacement. That’s because most storm windows are Low E (low emissivity), which helps block visible transmittance of the sun’s harsh UV rays.

The Low E coatings also help reduce the solar heat gain coefficient on storm windows, which is the amount of radiation the windows let in. According to Energy.gov, using storm windows can provide anywhere from 12% to 33% energy savings on your heating and cooling costs.

Not only are Low E storm windows more energy-efficient than a window replacement, but they’re also cheaper. You’ll only pay about a quarter of the entire cost of a total window replacement, which makes storm windows one of the best energy-saving options. In addition, they can buffer against outside noise and reduce drafts, heat loss, air infiltration, and leaks around the window frame.

Find the Best Energy-Efficient Windows for You

When it comes to finding the right type of window, energy efficiency stands out as a major factor to reduce your carbon footprint. It’s important to look at all the energy-efficient windows available on the market to find the most reliable way to keep your home insulated. As a result, you can help the environment and even save money on your utility bills.

You should also look at the type of climate where you plan to have windows installed. For example, those living in warmer climates will probably want windows that can provide excellent insulation and solar radiation protection to keep their home cool during the warmer months, even if they already have window treatments and curtains that help block out the sun.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re curious about the best energy-saving windows or replacement windows for your home, you’re in the right place. We’re going to answer all your questions about the most energy-efficient windows and how they can make a huge difference in the amount of money you save.