Are You
Tired
of Paying too Much for Commercial Electricity?
Energy Saving Tips
Windows
Energy Saving Tips:
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Windows can be one of
your home's most
attractive features.
Windows provide views,
daylighting,
ventilation, and solar
heating in the winter.
Unfortunately, they can
also account for 10% to
25% of your heating
bill. During the summer,
your air conditioner
must work harder to cool
hot air from sunny
windows. Install ENERGY
STAR windows and use
curtains and shade to
give your air
conditioner and energy
bill a break. If you
live in the Sun Belt,
look into new solar
control spectrally
selective windows, which
can cut the cooling load
by 10% to 15%.
If your home has
single-pane windows, as
almost half of U.S.
homes do, consider
replacing them. New
double pane windows with
high-performance glass
(e.g., low-e or
spectrally selective)
are available on the
market. In colder
climates, select windows
that are gas filled with
low emissivity (low-e)
coatings on the glass to
reduce heat loss. In
warmer climates, select
windows with spectrally
selective coatings to
reduce heat gain. If you
are building a new home,
you can offset some of
the cost of installing
more efficient windows
because doing so allows
you to buy smaller, less
expensive heating and
cooling equipment.
Cold-Climate Window Tips
You can use a
heavy-duty, clear
plastic sheet on a
frame or tape clear
plastic film to the
inside of your
window frames during
the cold winter
months. Remember,
the plastic must be
sealed tightly to
the frame to help
reduce infiltration.
Install
tight-fitting,
insulating window
shades on windows
that feel drafty
after weatherizing.
Close your curtains
and shades at night;
open them during the
day.
Keep windows on the
south side of your
house clean to let
in the winter sun.
Install exterior or
interior storm
windows; storm
windows can reduce
heat loss through
the windows by 25%
to 50%. Storm
windows should have
weatherstripping at
all moveable joints;
be made of strong,
durable materials;
and have
interlocking or
overlapping joints.
Low-e storm windows
save even more
energy.
Repair and
weatherize your
current storm
windows, if
necessary.
Warm-Climate Window Tips
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.
$
Long-Term Savings
Tip:
Installing new,
high-performance
windows will improve
your home's energy
performance. While
it may take many
years for new
windows to pay off
in energy savings,
the benefits of
added comfort and
improved aesthetics
and functionality
may make the
investment worth it
to you. Today, many
new window
technologies are
available that are
worth considering.
Glazing materials
(the glass part of
the window) now come
with a variety of
selective coatings
and other features;
frames are available
in aluminum, wood,
vinyl, fiber glass,
or combinations of
these materials.
Each type of glazing
material and frame
has advantages and
disadvantages.
Shopping Tips for
Windows
Look for the ENERGY
STAR.
When you're shopping
for new windows,
look for the
National
Fenestration Rating
Council label; it
means the window's
performance is
certified.
Remember, the lower
the U-value, the
better the
insulation. In
colder climates, a
U-value of 0.35 or
below is
recommended. These
windows have at
least double glazing
and a low-e coating.
In warm climates,
where summertime
heat gain is the
main concern, look
for windows with
double glazing and
spectrally selective
coatings that reduce
heat gain.
Select windows with
air leakage ratings
of 0.3 cubic feet
per minute or less.
In temperate
climates with both
heating and cooling
seasons, select
windows with both
low U-values and low
solar heat gain co
efficiency (SHGC) to
maximize energy
benefits.
Remember that new
windows must be
installed correctly
to avoid air leaks
around the frame.
Look for a
reputable, qualified
installer.
