Homes with Hania: Cut energy bills by buying right kind of windows
by Hania Jakyma, Homes Columnist
Windows make up about 15 percent of an average home’s wall space. There are a number of practical facts you should know about windows.
Most manufacturers suggest that windows be replaced about every 20 years. You can tell if the windows are failing if they are sealed or painted shut, if you feel drafts, or if you can see collected condensation.
Double-paned windows with one-fourth to one-inch of air (argon) between the panes will cut noise. The thicker the glass and wider the air space the greater the noise reduction. Skylights provide 30 percent more light than windows of the same size.
Now that you have picked out the windows, what type of frames are best? Aluminum frames are affordable, strong and low-maintenance, but conduct heat and cold. Vinyl frames are affordable and low-maintenance, but the color may fade over time. Solid wood frames are great insulators against heat and cold, but they are costly, require maintenance and are subject to swelling and contracting.
Clad frames are the most expensive. They have wood frames inside and aluminum and vinyl shells on the outside. The wood frame helps minimize the transfer of heat and cold, and the exterior shell keeps them low-maintenance.
There is one more to consider. Composite frames are stronger and more durable than vinyl and wood, and their price falls between the two. A major benefit of the composite frame is it can be painted to accent a homes décor.
But don’t stop there –– there is more to consider thanks to today’s new window technology. This one is my favorite, a special dual action coating that cleans your windows by breaking down organic matter as it collects on the glass. Who wouldn’t want that?! Today, privacy can be created without window treatments by using special glass treatments. Glass block, frosted and bubble glass limit visibility while capturing light. These options work especially well in bathrooms.
And It gets better! Suspended particle device technology allows the use of a dimmer switch to tint glass panes to regulate the amount of light coming in. Wow!
Low-emissivity (low-E) glass has a thin metallic coating that reflects heat back to its source. It keeps heat inside the house in the winter and out in the summer. Low-E reduces energy costs, blocks UV rays and allows 95 percent of natural light in.
Let’s not forget about R-value and U-factors. The R-value measures the resistance of heat flow. The higher the R-value the more efficient the window. The U-factor is the rate of heat transfer from the inside to the outside of the home. The lower the U-factor the more efficient the window. Then we have the solar heat gain coefficient, which measures how much heat your home gains from the sun. The lower the SHGC, the less heat is gained.
According to the Department of Energy, inefficient windows, skylights and doors account for 25 percent of our energy bills. Energy bills can be cut 15 percent by buying double-paned, insulated windows, airtight frames and heat resistant coatings. |
