Replacing the windows in your home is a great idea any time of year, but especially in summer. Why? Well, the hot summer months are the perfect time to experience more comfort and lower energy bills. With central air conditioning costing hundreds of dollars per month at peak times, there are other ways you can keep cool and save money in the process.
Replacement windows fit the bill, especially when faced with the knowledge that drafty windows contribute up to 25 percent of a home’s energy loss. In fact, one of the top reasons homeowners cite for installing new windows is to save on energy costs. Here’s a look at exactly how new windows can make your home cooler in summer.
New Frames = Insulation
One of the best upgrades you can make this summer is window replacement – it can keep everyone cool while adding to the aesthetics of your property. Modern window frames have chambers or pockets for extra insulation, helping to prevent cool air in the home from escaping to the outside. Because they reduce heat transfer, they are more energy efficient. Bonus: they’re more durable and easier to maintain as well.
In the summer, fading can occur from the UV rays beating down on your window frames. You can prevent this by investing in high-quality vinyl frames that are able to resist the heat better than other materials, such as untreated wood windows. These can experience extensive fading in summer that must be remedied by scraping and painting every few years. Who has the time or money for that?
Low-E: Works to Reduce Heat Transfer Through Glass
Low-E is short for “low emissivity,” a measure of how well a material radiates absorbed energy. Low-e glass helps to control the amount of heat energy that infiltrates and escapes from your home. It’s a microscopically thin layer of specially formulated metal that is applied to the surface of the glass during manufacturing. This coating allows light to pass through the window while at the same time limiting the “emissivity” of heat energy at the same time.
Using low-E glass in a replacement window serves to block heat-generating UV light and reflects that heat back to its source. This means you need less heating or air conditioning to keep your home at a consistent, comfortable temperature all year round.
Extra Insulation: Argon and Krypton Gas
Two odorless and colorless gases (argon and krypton) are typically inserted between the glass panes of an energy efficient multi-pane window. Both are denser than air and offer superior insulating properties, resulting in consistent temperatures year round. When these gases are used in conjunction with a low-e glass coating it creates an even more effective thermal barrier against energy loss.
Professional Window Installation = Energy Savings
Professional installation is key to it all. You can have a high-quality window, but if it’s not installed properly, it won’t give you the benefits you crave. In fact, improper installation can lead to increased energy loss through the frames, sash, and the junction of the sash and sill.
Contact Allstar Construction for Window Replacement
This is why you need to enlist the help of Allstar Construction in Fargo, where our experienced contractors specialize in the installation of replacement windows. If you’re looking to outfit your home with new windows before summer, now is the perfect time to contact us.
