What to Look for When Shopping for Energy Efficient Windows

Are your windows letting in drafts of hot or cold air that make your home uncomfortable? If so, then you could actually be spending more on your monthly energy bills than you should be. This is because inefficient windows cause your HVAC system to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home, increasing the amount of energy you use daily. One way to remedy this is by investing in energy efficient windows. But what makes a window energy efficient, exactly?

There are a number factors you should consider when shopping for energy efficient windows for your home. These include:

Material of the Frames

Certain frame materials, such as metal, are conductors – meaning they can easily transfer outdoor temperatures into your home. When shopping for energy efficient windows, choose a frame material that won’t conduct heat, such as wood or vinyl.

Panes of Glass

Windows that boast two or three panes of glass are much more energy efficient than windows with only one glass pane. This is because the more panes of glass that hot or cold temperatures must penetrate to reach your home, the less they will affect your home’s internal temperature.

Coatings or Gas Fills

Windows that contain coatings on the glass or gas fills in between glass panes are also much more energy efficient than windows that do not have these features. Similar to the point made above, coatings or gas fills provide additional barriers to your home that outdoor temperatures must conquer to affect your home’s temperature.

If you are interested in having new energy efficient windows installed on your home, contact The Window & Door Store today. We are one of the area’s leading window experts and we offer a full selection of energy efficient windows that could potentially save you money on your monthly heating bills. To learn more or to get started on your window replacement, contact us today.