If you’ve been dealing with high energy bills lately, your old or drafty windows could be one of the main culprits. Glass is an extremely poor insulator, which is why windows are among the biggest sources of heat gain and heat loss in a home. While windows always contribute to heat loss or gain, the issue can be much more pronounced with old windows. In the Pacific Northwest, upgrading to efficient windows helps with indoor temperature control on warm summer days and throughout the cool, damp winter. At Signature Window and Door Replacement, our energy-efficient windows in Kent, WA and high-quality installations can hold the key to helping you reduce your heating and cooling bills.
How Windows Can Impact Energy Efficiency
Windows can negatively impact a home’s energy efficiency in numerous ways. For instance, many older windows have issues with air leakage because of worn or cracked seals around the glass and frame. This makes the house warmer during the summer due to hot air leaking in from outside. Air leakage can be an even bigger concern during the winter, as it can both allow hot air to escape and cold air to seep in. Many older windows also have poorly insulated frames that allow lots of heat and cold inside.
Window technology has improved in recent years more than most people realize. Up until the 1970s and 1980s, single-pane windows were the standard. Despite single-pane windows offering zero insulation value, many older houses still have at least a few of them. The issue with single-pane windows is that the glass gets extremely hot during the summer and cold during the winter. The heat or cold then radiates into the house off the glass, making the air in the surrounding area hotter or colder.
Double-pane windows are better at insulating, as the air between the two panes helps prevent as much heat or cold from being transferred from the outer pane to the indoor pane. Nonetheless, older double-pane windows are still considered outdated because they’re only filled with air.
How Energy-Efficient Windows Help Lower Energy Bills
Modern windows can have various features that make them more efficient. Double- and triple-pane construction, weather-tight seals and well-insulated frames all help to reduce heat gain and loss through windows.
Argon- or krypton-filled windows are especially good at insulating. Both gases are much denser than air, so they create a much more effective heat transfer barrier. Krypton-filled windows are more efficient than argon-filled ones. However, they are also quite a bit more expensive due to the high cost of krypton.
Opting for windows with a low-E (low-emissivity) coating can further improve efficiency. The E stands for emissivity, a measurement of how much light and heat a surface reflects or absorbs. Low-E glass has a microscopic coating that makes it much more reflective than standard glass. Windows designed for hotter climates have the coating on the outside pane to reflect sunlight and heat away from the windows so that the glass stays much cooler. Windows designed for colder climates have the coating on the inside pane, which helps reflect heat back into the house during winter to reduce the amount of heat lost through the glass. The best windows have a low-E coating on both the inside and outside panes to improve efficiency throughout the year.
Additional Benefits of Window Replacement
Replacing your old, outdated windows provides additional benefits that go beyond just making your home more efficient and lowering your energy bills. New windows improve indoor comfort by helping to lessen hot and cold spots, ensuring more even temperatures throughout the house. Well-insulated double- or triple-pane windows can greatly reduce outdoor noise, which is especially beneficial if you live on a busy street. Upgrading your windows is also a great way to boost both your property value and your house’s curb appeal.
Low-E glass windows help protect furniture and décor from UV damage. UV radiation causes the chemical bonds in dyes and pigments to break down, resulting in fabrics, paint and other materials continually fading over time. Low-E glass prevents furniture and décor from fading nearly as much, as the coating blocks out most UV rays.
For more than 25 years, Signature Window and Door Replacement has been helping homeowners in Kent, Seattle and the surrounding areas lower their energy bills with windows. We offer a wide selection of efficient window replacement options, including numerous ENERGY STAR® windows in Washington. We’re committed to quality craftsmanship and providing long-lasting, effective results. To schedule a consultation in Kent or the Seattle area and learn more about our energy-efficient window replacement solutions, contact us today.
