Bolster Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Replacement Windows
As energy prices continue to soar with no end in sight, taking every precaution possible to create a more energy efficient home is a great way to save money, preserve resources and live more comfortably (and responsibly). In terms of bolstering energy efficiency, where’s the best place to start? The answer, resoundingly, is to begin by assessing your windows and doors – perhaps the two biggest culprits in the war against wasting energy.
If you live in an older home and can’t remember when the last time the windows were updated, there’s a good chance the only thing separating the interior from the outdoors are grossly outdated, single-pane windows. Put candidly, a single-pane window is just like having an open hole in your living room, kitchen, bedrooms, etc. Outdated single-pane windows came from a simpler time when resources were deemed inexhaustible and more, they were affordable. We know better now.
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Energy efficient replacement windows coupled with tightly sealed doors and attics can radically lower your energy bills. These simple updates start paying you back immediately and are a good return on your investment and help you save considerable money down the line, year after year.
Do you know what to look for when you begin the shopping process for replacement windows? Beyond aesthetics, ask your replacement window dealer to show you models that meet Energy Star requirements for your geographic area. Energy Star rated windows must meet higher energy efficiency standards and have a lower U-value, which indicates how well a window is capable of insulating. The lower the U-value, the better the window will perform to keep cool air inside and hot air outside.
Although energy efficient replacement windows offer one of the most impactful solutions to your energy woes, you don’t have to go out and spend money to create a more energy-conscious home. Consider these tips, straight from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:
Install white or light color window shades, blinds or drapes to reflect heat away
Keep curtains on the west and south side of your home closed during the day
Use your natural landscaping such as trees or shrubs near windows to keep them shaded
Consider updated replacement windows as a viable and affordable way to increase the value and functionality of your home while creating a more energy efficient environment for a better bottom line in the long run.
Do you know what to look for before you go shopping for replacement windows? Aesthetics are important, but replacement windows should also have a low U-value and ENERGY STAR certification.
