 
 
 
  
Buying and selling
a house is
one thing. Making a house a home
is quite another.
Whether you own
or rent your
living space, we hope
this information will be useful to you in your unique setting.
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March's Home Resource
All About Windows
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Windows
can be one of your home's most attractive features. Windows provide
views, daylighting, ventilation, and solar heating in the winter.
Unfortunately, they can also account for 10% to 25% of your heating
bill. During the summer, your air conditioner must work harder to cool
hot air from sunny windows. Install ENERGY STAR windows and use
curtains and shade to give your air conditioner and energy bill a
break. If you live in the Sub Belt, look into low-e windows, which can
cut the cooling load by 10% to 15%.
If your home has single-pane windows, as many U.S. homes do, consider
replacing them with new double-pane windows with high-performance glass
(e.g., low-e or spectrally selective). In colder climates, select
windows that are gas filled with low emissivity (low-e) coatings on the
glass to reduce heat loss. In warmer climates, select windows with
spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat gain. If you are building
a new home, you can offset some of the cost of installing more
efficient windows because they allow you to buy smaller, less expensive
heating and cooling equipment. If you decide not to replace your
windows, the simpler, less costly measures listed to the right can
improve their performance.
$ Long-Term Savings Tip
Installing high-performance windows will improve your home's energy
performance. While it may take many years for new windows to pay off in
energy savings, the benefits of added comfort and improved aesthetics
and functionality may make the investment worth it to you. Many window
technologies are available that are worth considering.
Efficient windows may have two or more panes of glass, warm-edge
spacers between the window panes, improved framing materials, and low-e
coating(s), which are microscopically thin coatings that help keep heat
inside during the winter and outside during the summer.
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Cold-Climate Window Tips
• You can use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape
clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold
winter months. Remember, the plastic must be sealed tightly to the
frame to help reduce infiltration.
• Install tight-fitting, insulating window shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.
• Close your curtains and shades at night; open them during the day.
• Keep windows on the south side of your house clean to let in the winter sun.
• Install exterior or interior storm windows; storm windows can
reduce heat loss through the windows by 25% to 50%. Storm windows
should have weatherstripping at all movable joints; be made of strong,
durable materials; and have interlocking or overlapping joints. Low-e
storm windows save even more energy.
• Repair and weatherize your current storm windows, if necessary.
Warm-Climate Window Tips
• Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.
• Close curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day.
• Install awnings on south- and west-facing windows.
• Apply sun-control or reflective films on south-facing windows to reduce solar gain.
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$$$ Shopping Tips for Windows $$$
- Look for the ENERGY STAR label.
- Check with local utilities to see what rebates or other financial incentives are available for window replacement.
- High-performance windows have at least two panes of glass and a low-e (low emissivity) coating.
- Remember, the lower the U-factor, the better the insulation. In colder climates, focus on finding a low U-factor.
- Low solar heat gain coefficients (SHGCs) reduce heat gain. In warm climates, look for a low SHGC.
- In temperate climates with
both heating and cooling seasons, select windows with both low
U-factors and low SHGCs to maximize energy savings.
- Look for whole-unit
U-factors and SHGCs, rather than center-of-glass, or COG, U-factors and
SHGCs. Whole-unit numbers more accurately reflect the energy
performance of the entire product.
- Have your windows installed
by trained professionals. Be sure they're installed according to
manufacturer's instructions; otherwise, your warranty may be void.
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