Energy-Saving Window Treatments Can Help Reduce Your Household Bills
If you are considering installing replacement windows, it's good to know that there are energy-saving options available to you.
Why Install Replacement Windows?
Windows let in daylight and fresh air, but also allow heat to pass both ways: solar heat gets in, while some of the warmth you might have created with your energy supply gets out. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the amount of energy lost through your windows can account for between 10-25% of your heating bill. In addition, windows that let in too much solar energy will cause your air conditioning bills to rise.
You can help solve this problem by installing replacement windows. With one of the new energy-saving window treatments, you can dramatically reduce your utility bills by cutting down the amount of heat passing through your windows.
What Kind of Window Treatments Can Help Energy Saving?
Replacement windows are available with several different types of treatment to make them more energy-efficient. There are a number of things you can look out for when you are choosing your replacement windows:
- Low-e Coatings: a treatment that reduces the amount of heat transmitted through your window pane by coating the glass with a layer of metal a few molecules thick
- Tinted Glass: made by altering the chemical properties of the glass to produce a slightly darker color, reducing the amount of solar heat passing into a room
- U-Factor: a measure of the window?s insulation ability. Look for windows that have been given a U-factor by the National Fenestration Rating Council, as they measure the efficiency of the whole window and not just the glass pane.
The new window treatments available today can dramatically affect the energy efficiency of your home.
