The Truth About Replacing Windows
I’ve listened to some outrageous claims from window replacement companies. The usual sales tactic is how much return on your investment by replacing your windows you’ll get. The fact of the matter is the new windows could take anywhere from 13 to 20 years to receive your investment back. Unfortunately, a lot of consumers believe the window company’s claims. I hear this myth repeated many times while doing home inspections throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth areas.
Don’t get me wrong, new windows can be a very good thing, but it miffs me just a bit that a vast amount of dealers in the market try to hype the return to make it sound as if your investment will be recouped in no time at all.
When it comes to our hot climate in the Dallas Fort Worth areas, with the best energy efficient window, you can control the temperature within your home and make the space cooler during hot summer days. The right windows will allow sunlight to pass through, but block heat, helping you save both energy and money on air conditioning.
Follow the tips below when choosing the type of energy efficient windows that work best in hot climates.
Selecting Window Frames
The type of window frames you use will have a great impact on the energy efficiency of your windows. Frames may be made of several different materials, including aluminum, fiberglass, vinyl and wood. Aluminum frames, though widely used in modern construction, are the least energy efficient. Fiberglass frames are moderately efficient. Wood and Vinyl frames are highly efficient. Wood frames are costlier while vinyl frames are affordable.
Window Glasses for Energy Efficiency
The glass panels contributes to the energy efficiency of a window. There are 3 factors to consider for the types of glass:
■Visible transmission (VT)
■Solar Heat Gain coefficient (SHGC)
■U-value
VT is the amount of sunlight that is transmitted through the glass, while SHGC is the fraction of total solar heat that can pass through the glass. U-Value is a measure of transfer of heat through the glass through conduction, convection and radiation.
Glasses with high VT allow significant daylight into the house thereby reducing the necessity of lights during daytime and hence help in saving energy. The recommended value for VT is 60 to 80 percent. For hot climates SHGC must be as low as possible. Glasses with low SHGC let a lesser fraction of solar heat into the house and thus help in saving the air-conditioning bills. SHGC of below 0.40 is recommended for places with hot climates. The glasses with low U-Value is recommended for all climates.
Use of Multi-Pane Glasses
Single pane glasses are highly inefficient and no more used. Use of double or triple pane glass is recommended for energy efficiency. The vacuum created between different panes of multi-pane windows is what causes insulation and hence helps in saving energy.
Low Emissive Glasses
Low emissive glass panes are also used to improve energy efficiency. Low emissivity glass has a coating of metallic oxide layer on the inner side. The low emissive coating prevents heat transfer between panes i.e. from glass of high temperature to the glass of lower temperature. For places with hot climates, the low-e coating needs to be applied to the inner side of the outermost pane. Low solar gain low emissive glasses reduce the incoming heat and form the best energy efficient windows for hot climates.
Beyond that, replacement windows have value that adds up in ways other then energy savings. The Curb appeal of your home, in your mind and those of prospective buyers might be greatly increase with the addition of any of the many readily available replacement window styles. Come sale time, those dollars invested can have a substantial return.
Warm-Climate Window Tips on saving extra money from energy loss
•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 other reflective films on south-facing windows to reduce solar gain
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