As the weather turns cooler, many homeowners are turning to Energy-efficient windows Dallas as a proactive measure against rising energy costs. This smart investment offers long-term savings and comfort, as well as financial prudence.
However, quality Energy-efficient windows require proper installation to maximize performance. Here are a few tips for choosing and installing your replacements.
1. Low-E Glass
Incorporating low emissivity glass into your replacement windows is one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency. It works to reflect thermal energy back inside during winter and limit solar heat gain in the summer. This helps to keep your home warmer and saves money on heating and cooling bills.
In addition to reflecting thermal energy, low-e glass limits the amount of UV rays that pass through. This is beneficial to the health of occupants and the longevity of interior furnishings.
The initial cost of low-e glass is often only a few dollars more than standard clear float glass. However, this small investment usually pays for itself in energy savings over the lifetime of your window.
2. Insulated Glass
Insulated windows help maintain comfortable temperatures in your home, reducing your energy consumption and your reliance on HVAC systems to regulate temperature. And you don’t have to sacrifice style for efficiency; insulated glass is available in a wide range of decorative styles.
An insulated window, or IGU, contains two or more panes of glass separated by a spacer and filled with air or argon gas. The more panes in the window, the better the insulation; choose a model with two or three panes to reduce your energy costs even further.
3. Low-E Coatings
If you want your Dallas home to retain heat and energy efficiency, look for windows with Low-E coatings. These innovative coatings reflect the sun’s rays during the summer, keeping temperatures down and saving you money.
In addition, they can slow the fading of interior furnishings. Look for a Low-E rating of 0.25 or lower to cut down on cooling costs.
Energy efficient windows can make a huge impact on your energy bills and improve comfort in your Dallas home. When selecting your new windows, consider factors like NFRC ratings, U-factors, Visible Light Transmittance (VT), and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). These will help you select quality windows that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR guidelines.
4. Argon Fillings
Investing in energy-efficient windows is a proactive strategy to safeguard against fluctuating Texas weather and save money on high energy costs. But, as with all home improvement projects, proper maintenance is essential to maximize the returns on your smart investment.
Regular window cleaning and periodic inspections are simple yet effective measures to maintain your new replacement windows. Moreover, working with trusted installers is key to ensuring that all components of your new window installation operate at peak performance. This helps prevent air leaks and eliminates drafts to keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year round.
5. Multiple Panes of Glass
While double pane windows may cost more upfront, they offer superior energy efficiency and cost savings that quickly offset initial investment. The additional glass and insulating gas core reduces thermal transfer and noise while blocking the sun’s harmful rays.
Look for a window with a low U-factor to maximize insulation and a lower SHGC to minimize heat gain, especially in Dallas’s scorching summers. These metrics will determine the quality of a window’s performance and impact on your home’s energy costs.
Make sure to choose a window company that offers professional installation. Improper installation can compromise a window’s energy-saving features and void warranties.
6. Insulated Frames
A window’s frame is important not just for its aesthetic, but also for regulating temperature and blocking noise. Insulated frames can help keep heat from escaping in the winter and cool air in the summer.
In our North Texas climate, quality insulated frames are an essential component of energy efficiency and long-term savings. The right choice of frames, like vinyl, resist the intense Texan sun and stay strong without warping or cracking over time.
ENERGY STAR certification requires windows with superior U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) ratings. One option that minimizes thermal transfer is a foam-filled frame, which helps to lower the U-factor of your window and enhance its insulating properties.
7. Low-E Glass Coatings
Energy efficiency and conservation can save you money without significant changes to your daily routine. For example, replacing your windows with high-efficiency options will help reduce your energy consumption while providing your home with improved comfort.
The right Low-E glass can improve your home’s insulating properties by keeping the hot summer sun out and warm air in during winter. These features are especially important in the Dallas climate, where summer temperatures can get very hot.
Choosing the correct glass is easy if you know what to look for. The key metrics to consider are SHGC, U-factor and Visible Light Transmittance (VLT).