3 Facts You Should Know About Energy-Efficient Windows

If your windows are getting old, or you're sick of seeing your energy bills constantly rising, it's time to consider an energy-efficient window installation. These types of windows have special features that inhibit the transfer of heat, keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. If you aren't sure why energy-efficient windows are a great idea, check out these three facts:

They Block Some Light Waves

Energy-efficient windows have a low-E coating on the glass. This coating is designed to block some light waves. However, don't worry, you'll still get lots of natural sunlight through your windows. The low-E coatings only block invisible waves, like UV rays. By blocking this invisible light, less heat enters your home, so you use less power to cool your home. Also, because they block damaging UV rays, you'll see less fading on your furniture, curtains, floor, etc., especially those that are near the window and often exposed to sunlight.

They Prevent Drafts

Another feature of energy-efficient windows is they are double paned, and the space between the panes is usually filled with insulating gasses. This really helps stop cold drafts during the summer. When a window has a single pane of glass, it becomes cold when exposed to the cold outdoor air. Even the inside of the glass is cold. Therefore, when warm air inside the home touches the glass, it cools and drops, creating a draft. However, thanks to the double panes and gasses protecting the inner glass, the pane stays warmer, so it doesn't cool indoor air that touches it.

They are a Great Investment

You're going to spend a lot installing energy-efficient windows, but don't let the price scare you. Energy-efficient windows are a great investment in your home. For starters, when you do replace your windows, you'll see monthly savings on your heating and cooling costs. However, the benefits don't stop there. Energy-efficient windows have a high return on investment (ROI). In fact, you may be able to get an ROI of 72.9 percent for your windows when you sell your home. However, you do need to replace all your windows to really benefit from the monthly savings and ROI.  

Energy-efficient windows help lower your heating and cooling costs, but they are expensive, and you only reap the benefits if you replace all your windows. For more information regarding energy-efficient windows, contact a window contractor in your area today. 

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