Why You Should Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows

If you live in an older home, then take a minute to examine the windows. Are they a single pane of glass? Can you feel air flowing around the frame? Many homeowners don't realize that their outdated windows are costing them serious money in heating and cooling bills. By upgrading to modern, energy-efficient windows, you can save money in the long term while also improving the livability of your home! Keep reading to learn why replacing your old windows is well worth the cost.

What's the difference between old and new windows?

There are several features that make newer, energy-efficient windows significantly better than the ones originally installed in your home decades ago. These design changes are meant to make the windows better at their job, which is to allow light into your home while keeping everything else out.

The most obvious difference between older windows and their modern counterparts is in the glass, which in energy-efficient windows is arranged into a double or even triple layer of panes. Between the separate panes, manufacturers insert a dense, inert gas, such as argon, which acts like a layer of insulation for the window. The net result of this arrangement is that the glass is much better at preventing the movement of heat, whether it's into the home in summer or out of the home in winter.

Other, less noticeable differences exist as well. For instance, energy-efficient windows will have frames made of vinyl or fiberglass, which are better insulators than the aluminum frames often found in older windows. Also, newer windows might have what's called low-emissivity (“low-e”) glass, which has been coated in an invisibly-thin layer of reflective material. This coating helps to keep solar radiation out of the house, making the inside cooler while not affecting illumination.

What are the benefits of energy-efficient windows?

First and foremost, energy-efficient windows will save you money! Depending on your climate and how bad your old windows were, new windows can save anywhere from $101–$583 a year when replacing single-pane windows. Energy-efficient windows also have the added benefits of greatly reducing noise from outside, eliminating drafts, and increasing your home's resale value.

Finding the right windows for your home is key, so make sure you do the research in your area in order to have a good outcome. Contacting the BBB in your area is a good idea so that you get a reputable company that will do a good job and be recommended.