The Bite:
Updating your windows can significantly lower your energy bills. New technologies have also developed windows that are specific to your climate needs AND are more affordable than ever.
Are your heating and cooling bills keeping you from enjoying your 'room with a view?'
03.21.2006
Submitted by idealbite on Tue, 03/21/2006 - 6:00pm.
The Benefits:
- Windows account for 25-50% of a home’s heating and cooling needs. Improved window materials like low-e coatings and double glazing significantly reduce heat loss and gains, plus protect your curtains and furnishings from fading.
- Quieter home interior. Energy efficient windows typically have two panes separated by an air gap, which significantly reduces outside noise.
- User friendly. Improved quality makes windows easier to operate.
- Not ready to take the investment plunge? Lower cost alternatives include light-reflecting film, creative landscaping, quality shades or curtains, and caulking.
- Keep in mind your climate when selecting a window. Homes in colder climates will require windows with a higher R-value, which varies from 0.9 to 4.0 and refers to how much heat loss a window allows.
Personally Speaking:
Jen’s house had double-paned windows and a few other bells and whistles, but it isn’t enough to satisfy her green home urge. She swears her next house will have a greenhouse attached to it where she can let the warm, moist air into the main house by opening the connecting door. (Heather might need to make more visits to MT to keep the plants alive though).
Wanna Try:
Check out these sites to learn more about the benefits of window replacements and to help you decide what is best for your home:
- Efficient Windows Collaborative – gobs of unbiased information on window efficiency across all brands, plus a database with tax incentives and building code changes.
- Energy$avr Window Inserts – an insulation product that is an alternative to window replacement.
- ENERGYGUIDE – This one-stop personalized resource will help you identify more ways to be energy efficient in your home.
Cocktail Fact
25-40% of all heating or cooling produced by your furnace or AC unit is lost through leaky ductwork, costing you an extra $160 on your annual heating and cooling bill.
Bang For The Bite
The average household spends some $1,500 each year on energy bills. By choosing Energy Star-qualified products, consumers can cut energy use by 30%, a savings of about $450 each year.
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