Choosing Energy-Efficient Windows – Tips And Benefits

Having an energy-efficient home depends on many factors including the windows. There are many benefits for having energy-efficient windows but, besides those, it’s also important to know how this system works and what to look for when searching for the right windows.

How energy-efficient windows work

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Basically, double-glazed windows have two sheets of glass with a gap in between. This creates an insulating barrier which keeps the heat in and doesn’t let the cold air inside. This void is sometimes filled with gas. There are also triple-glazed windows and these ones have three sheets of glass. However, this doesn’t always make them superior.

What to look for

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Not all types of glass are equally efficient at insulating a space. The most energy-efficient type is low-E glass which has an invisible coating of metal oxide on one of the inner panes. This coating lets the heat and the light in but minimizes the amount of heat which can escape.

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In between the sheets of glass there’s a void which can be filled with gasses such as argon, xenon or krypton and this can improve the energy-efficiency of the windows overall.

Around the inside edge of the windows there’s a series of pane spacers that keep the glass sheets apart. In order for the windows to be highly energy-efficient, these spacers should contain little or no metal.

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Another important aspect is the frame and the materials from which is made. There are four materials generally used for energy-efficient windows and these are: uPVC, a recyclable and durable material, wood which has a lower environmental impact but requires maintenance, aluminum or steel which are also durable, recyclable and in addition slimmer than other types and there’s also a composite type of frame which is a combination of timer and aluminum or plastic.

Benefits

There are several benefits that energy-efficient windows can offer. The most important of all is the fact they reduce the energy bill. This makes them a profitable investment just like solar panels.

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In addition to reducing the heat loss and insulating the space against the heat and the cold outside, energy-efficient windows also insulate the home against external noise.

Because this type of windows is so efficient at insulating a space, they also reduce condensation build-up on the inside of the windows. It’s a detail you’ll definitely appreciate.

And there’s also the benefit of having a comfortable home in general thanks to fewer draughts and cold spots.