Outdated, poorly installed, or damaged windows leak air, cause drafts, and seriously affect the energy efficiency of your home. Replacing windows when needed and making sure they are properly installed goes a long way in protecting your home. There are also several energy-efficient options and upgrades to help even more. Here are a few energy-efficient window options to consider for your new windows:

1. Triple-Pane Windows

Because they are so much more efficient, double-pane windows have become the new standard over single-pane windows. But, when it comes to double-pane vs triple-pane windows, triple-pane windows are more energy-efficient.

Not only does the extra pane of glass offer extra insulation and protection, but these windows also often offer additional layers of filling and Argon gas between the panes. This only provides more insulation, protects your home even more from energy loss, and further improves the energy efficiency of your windows and your home. All of these are benefits of insulated windows.

2. Insulated Windows

There are several types of insulated windows, and many of the options overlap with energy-efficient window options. For example, triple-pane windows are often also considered insulated windows.

Insulated windows are often filled with Argon gas to improve energy efficiency. In addition to being safe, Argon is denser, so it helps to insulate better and prevent energy loss. Because it helps reduce temperature transfer better than air, it also helps to reduce window condensation.

3. Low E-Coatings

Low E-Coatings are energy-efficient window options that can be applied to any window, whether it’s double-pane or triple-pane. This “low emissivity” coating is a microscopic layer or metallic material.

It doesn’t affect the view from the window, but it does have some reflective qualities that help reduce the UV light that enters the home. Not only does this help reduce energy loss, but it can also help prevent fading and sun damage to fabrics and fibers that receive sunlight from the window over time.

4. Window Spacers

Many window manufacturers include spacers in their windows. There may be standard spacers and enhanced or more advanced spacer systems available, which can also be an upgrade that is well worth the investment. Access to a wider variety of these options is one of the benefits of professional window installation.

Window spacers help increase the thermal performance of your windows. The extra insulation and protection help to reduce condensation and prevent energy loss. Because spacers help reduce condensation, they also help reduce the chance of mold or mildew that can be caused by extra moisture in your home. Water damage can be one of the reasons to replace your windows, so reducing and preventing it can help extend the life of your new windows too.

On top of that, they can help prevent stress cracks and help extend the life of your windows. They can even help create a buffer for some noise reduction and soundproofing qualities. The type of material, size, installation, etc. of the spacer all affect its performance and the extent of the benefits it provides.

These are just a few energy-efficient window options to consider as you shop for new windows. Covering the basics and opting for some upgrades can make sure your new windows are as energy-efficient as possible. If you need replacement windows, contact Zephyr Thomas at 717-399-4708 to start a free quote!