Winter is almost upon us, is your home ready? One of the best things you can do this year for your home is installing energy efficient windows. If your home has older windows, specifically ones with only one pane of glass, 84% of infrared energy from a warm room will be transferred outside to the cold air. Basically, a single pane of glass loses a significant amount of heat outside, even if there are no air leaks. While looking at energy efficient windows, of course you need to consider the style and functionality, but you should also understand the window’s U-Factor.
The U-Factor rating was made specifically for windows, and is different from the R-Values that you may have seen to measure building materials. Windows have a tougher job because they need to both insulate and let warmth and sunlight in. The U-Factory usually ranges from .20 to 1.20, the lower the rating the better your energy efficient windows will be at keeping heat in. High performance double paned glass windows can have U-factors of 0.30 or lower. There are also newer triple pane windows that can reach U-factors as low as 0.15. Contact your local home improvement company to get started. Here’s to a warmer, more energy efficient winter!
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