Windows

According to the US Department of Energy, most homes have air leaks and drafts that waste energy equivalent to leaving a window open in your home all year long. Think about what that does to your energy bill.

According to the US Department of Energy, most homes have air leaks and drafts that waste energy equivalent to leaving a window open in your home all year long. Think about what that does to your energy bill. Windows from Texas Energy Experts can improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and equity. With today’s advances in window technology, you will see many options on the market. Texas Energy Experts brings together the best in energy efficiency technology to produce a window that can, in the majority of cases, reduce a home’s energy bill by over 30%. There are a number of window characteristics you need to pay attention to when looking to upgrade your windows.

How Many Panes Should Your Windows Have?

First off, you want to avoid single-paned windows. They significantly reduce your ability to further insulate your home. Look for double-paned and triple-paned windows.

Double-paned windows are the best bang for your buck. They create multiple barriers to energy transfer, which results in a more comfortable home with lower energy bills. Having two panes of glass creates an insulator between the two panes which can also reduce the possibility of condensation build-up, which leads to mould. It doubles the surface area that hot or cold temperatures have to penetrate. This impedes the process of energy transfer via convection, which is the transfer of energy from a colder medium to a warmer medium and vice versa.

Triple-paned windows introduce a third pane of glass, further increasing the benefits stated above.

Vinyl Frame vs Aluminium Frame

This should be straightforward. Metal is an energy conductor. So, if it’s hot outside an aluminium window frame will conduct the heat from outside and transfer it inside your home. The same energy transfer occurs for cold weather. This conduction process is what creates a drifty window effect, which not only contributes to discomfort inside the home but puts strains on your HVAC unit. To combat energy transfer, you typically turn to your HVAC unit to heat and cool your home. With so much energy being transferred through inefficient windows, you are making your HVAC system work harder.

Argon Gas Insulation

Argon is a non-toxic and odourless gas that is sealed between the panes of glass to add multiple benefits to a window. Argon gas:

  • Impedes the energy transfer process due to its heavier-than-air properties which act as an insulator.
  • Increases the soundproofing of the window. Reduces the possibility of condensation build-up, eliminating mould potential.
  • Provides an improved R-value.

Low-E-Glass

This is not to be confused with the less effective low-E film that you might buy at Home Depot. But what is low-E? The “E” stands for emissivity, which is a measure of how much radiant heat an object gives off. So, by definition, low-E glass emits less radiant heat than standard windows–much less. This means that Low-E glass reduces the occurrence of your windows absorbing thermal energy and transferring it into your home. This helps keep your home temperature consistent regardless of outside temperature.