Choosing an Energy-Efficient Replacement Window

A graduate of Ohio Dominican University with a bachelor’s degree in business management, Michael “Mike” Lelasher served as vice president of operations at Cardinal Builders in Columbus, Ohio, responsible for developing business strategies and growth plans. Michael Lelasher also has in-depth knowledge of the renovation and replacement markets.

Replacing existing windows in your home with high-quality energy-efficient windows can serve as a meaningful approach to optimizing energy costs. According to Windownation.com, the amount of cooling or heat lost to the exterior of a building roughly doubles the amount of its energy cost.

Heat and cooling systems work to counter weather effects by adjusting the temperature within a building to comfortable levels. Proper insulation and energy-efficient windows copiously mitigate the exchange of air current between a building’s interior and its surroundings, preventing energy wastage.

At its core, an energy-efficient window is designed to act as a barrier against the flow of heat and wind. There are ample window manufacturers on the market that bill their products as energy-efficient. However, these products typically differ in design and the level of insulation they provide.

The first thing you probably need to check when considering a new window for your home renovation is the ENERGY STAR rating. Products with an ENERGY STAR rating are superior to over 75 percent of similar products in terms of performance. An energy-efficient window with this rating assures you of top-notch insulation.

You can also assess the product’s U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient. The U-factor value indicates the rate at which heat can pass through the panes of a window. Lower U-factors play a contributory role in energy efficiency. The solar heat gain coefficient, on the other hand, tells you how much the infrared spectrum of light from the sun can pass through the window. Infrared radiation is responsible for heat. For this reason, products with low solar heat gain coefficients are highly sought after by buyers who understand the concept.

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