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How to Choose the Most Energy Efficient Windows

October 6, 2014 By: Anna9 Comments

How to Choose the Most Energy Efficient Windows

When examining ways to save money as a homeowner, a great starting point is to evaluate your home’s windows. Replacing old or inefficient windows will save money on your electricity bill, and with winter arriving in the coming months, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at the windows in your home.  If it is time to consider replacing your windows, listed below are factors to consider in picking the right energy efficient windows for your home.

Should You Replace Your Windows?

First, let’s examine when it’s necessary to replace your windows. A good indication that it’s time to replace your windows is if you can feel a draft in your home. Windows become warped over time, which can create gaps and cause a draft to flow through.

Another clear indicator that your windows have seen better days is that they become difficult to open or close. An additional
telltale sign it’s time to replace your windows is if you notice condensation between your double or triple-pane windows.

When condensation is present, you can bet the insulated glass is no longer doing its job correctly. Finally, if your windows are single pane, they are, by nature, very inefficient and are ideal candidates for window upgrades.

How to Choose the Most Energy Efficient Windows.

Now that you have a clear understanding as to when you should replace your windows, let’s examine what to look for when shopping for the most energy efficient windows.

1.  Consider the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

Heat can be gained through your windows, regardless of the temperature outside. Examining the solar heat gain coefficient can show you how much heat from the sun is blocked by your windows. The first step in identifying what SHGC you should be looking for when replacing windows is to evaluate the climate you live in.

For example, if you live in a mostly tropical climate, you should be looking for windows with a lower SHGC, which functions by transmitting less solar heat while providing better shading power. In contrast, if you live in a cooler climate, you’ll want to look for windows that feature a higher SHGC, which will be more efficient at keeping warm air inside. This helpful tool can help you assess the SHCG you need based on the climate in which you live.

2.  Evaluate the Air Leakage of a Window

Air leakage is the rate of air movement around a window in the presence of a specific pressure difference across it. It’s measured in cubic feet per minute per square foot. Basically, it measures how many cubic feet of air can pass through your window in a minute. When searching for windows for your home, keep in mind that a product with low air leakage allows less air to pass through, while a product with a high air leakage rating allows more air to pass through, thus increasing your energy costs. It sounds self-explanatory, but many people never bother to ask about this rating when purchasing their windows.

3.  Examine the Window’s Insulating Properties.

You’ll need to evaluate insulating power when determining which window is best for your home. The rate at which heat is lost is assessed with the U-factor.  Windows with the best insulating abilities have a high U-factor, whereas, purchasing a window with a low U-factor translates to having poor insulation in your windows, leading to higher energy costs.

Window Treatment Options to Help Your New Windows.

Finally, after you’ve upgraded your house to feature more efficient windows, it’s a smart idea to think about window treatments designed to further help with cost saving measures. Blackout curtains are helpful in the summer and early autumn months when the sun is strong. Keep the shades down during the day while you’re at work to conserve energy and lessen your A/C bill.

Another option is dual shades, which feature a reflective light side and a contrasting dark side that work well to block out heat from sunlight in the warmer months and keep heat in during winter.

Are You Ready for a Window Replacement?

The combination of air leakage, solar heat gain coefficient and the U-factor are all determinants of how energy efficient your windows will be. Making upgrades to your home’s windows is a smart choice that will easily save you hundreds, making both your wallet and your family members happy, regardless of the changing seasons outside.

This sponsored post is written by Ashley Brant on behalf of  CitiQuiet , a leading designer, manufacturer, and installer of high performance soundproof and energy efficient replacement windows for residential and commercial use.

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About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

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Comments

  1. 1

    Gaston Montminy says

    June 19, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    The section about how to know when you need to replace windows brings up great points. The thing about recognizing that you have ineffective windows is that the longer you wait to replace them, the more money you’re losing. That means it’s best to do it sooner, if possible. One important thing to consider about replacing a window is your area’s climate. Some areas are pretty mild and don’t require windows with high insulation ratings, but that’s not always the case. Thanks for the great information!

    Reply
  2. 2

    McKayla Strauss says

    June 22, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    I already have dual pane windows around my whole house, so I don’t think I can get much more energy efficient with those. The only issue is that there’s a little bit of damage around the edges of a few of those windows. If I can just get that fixed, then I should be all set for summer and winter!

    Reply
  3. 3

    David says

    September 18, 2015 at 5:46 am

    This was an article to the point! Exactly what a house owner needs to know before replacing their windows! I am from Toronto and I have been using double hung windows for the last 1 and a half years. I happy that I got the replaced! You will surprised with how much difference a energy efficient window can make! You should definitely try it with window blinds! I will be replacing my door’s soon. Such windows and accessories add value to your house.

    Anyways, Good article Anna!

    Reply
  4. 4

    Maglepie Grits says

    January 11, 2016 at 11:58 am

    I agree that replacing a window becomes necessary when there is a draft of cold or hot air coming in from the outdoors. Some might say that they don’t want to pay the money to replace a window for something silly like that. I personally would rather fork out a few hundred bucks short term than to pay even more than that over the long term as a result of paying a higher heating or cooling bill.

    Reply
  5. 5

    John Carston says

    May 12, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    This post has been helpful for someone looking into window glass replacement. I like how you listed what to look for in replacing a window, like evaluating air leakage, looking at the insulating properties, etc. Thanks for the window replacement info.

    Reply
  6. 6

    Garry @ Chicago Window Installation says

    May 30, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    I definitely think it’s important for people to understand what makes a window more energy efficient. Because, when looking for one, sometimes it may be hard because you aren’t sure what to look for. I think this would help a ton of people out to better understand what exactly to look for when buying these kind of windows.

    Reply
    • 7

      Anna@Green Talk says

      June 5, 2016 at 5:11 pm

      Garry, what is your favorite tips? Anna

      Reply
  7. 8

    Jalu Sakti says

    September 16, 2016 at 3:11 pm

    I love all of the tips here to make your windows even more energy efficient. The windows that came in the house that we bought are already pretty energy friendly, but we haven’t tried the tips you mentioned here like putting up black curtains in the summer and fall. We will have to try that so our windows will be even more energy efficient.

    Reply
  8. 9

    Ryan says

    February 9, 2017 at 10:56 am

    These are great tips on choosing the most energy efficient windows! Our windows are currently 60 years old and I have been looking into getting energy efficient windows for a while now and this really helps! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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