|
Windows
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, sunny windows make your air conditioner
work two to three times harder. If you live in the Sun Belt, look into new solar
control spectrally selective windows, which can cut the cooling load by more
than half.
If your home has single-pane windows, as
almost half of U.S. homes do, consider replacing them. New double-pane windows
with high-performance glass (e.g., low-e or spectrally selective) are available
on the market. 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 doing so allows you to buy smaller, less expensive
heating and cooling equipment.
If you decide not to replace your windows,
the simpler, less costly measures listed below can improve the performance of
your windows.
Cold-Climate Window Tips
• Install exterior or interior storm
windows; storm windows can reduce your heat loss through the windows by 25% to
50%. Storm windows should have weatherstripping at all moveable 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.
• 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 maximize solar gain.
Cold-Climate Windows
Double-pane windows with low-e coating on the glass reflect heat back into the
room during the winter months.
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.
• Install awnings on south- and
west-facing windows.
• Apply sun-control or other
reflective films on south-facing windows to reduce solar gain.
Warm-Climate Windows
In the summertime, the sun shining through your windows heats up the room.
Windows with spectrally selective coatings on the glass reflect some of the
sunlight, keeping your rooms cooler.
Buying New Windows
New windows are long-term investments
that have a large impact on your home's energy systems. Today, there are many
new window technologies available that are worth considering. Glazing
materials now come with a variety of selective coatings and other features;
frames are available in aluminum, wood, vinyl, fiber glass, or combinations of
these materials. Each type of glazing material and frame has advantages and
disadvantages.
Shopping Tips
• When you're shopping for new
windows, first, look for the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)
label; it means the window's performance is certified.
• Remember, the lower the U-value, the
better the insulation. In colder climates, a U-value of 0.35 or below is
recommended. These windows have at least double glazing and low-e coating.
• In warm climates, where summertime
heat gain is the main concern, look for windows with double glazing and
spectrally selective coatings that reduce heat gain.
• Select windows with air leakage
ratings of 0.3 cubic feet per minute or less.
• In temperate climates with both
heating and cooling seasons, select windows with both low U-values and low
solar heat gain coefficiency (SHGC) to maximize energy benefits.
For more information about windows,
contact:
American
Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA),
(847) 303-5664
ENERGY
STAR®,
(888) STAR-YES (782-7937)
National
Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC),
(301) 589-6372
Window and Door
Manufacturers Association,
(800) 223-2301
Owens
Corning Customer Service Hotline,
(800) GET-PINK (438-7465)
U.S. Department of Energy's
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC), (800) DOE-EREC
(363-3732), and Network (EREN).
Path:
Home>Education>Healthy
Home Information>Windows
|
