Useful Tips For All Season Power Savings

Posted on September 8, 2010
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Did you realize that replacing windows and doors is the 4th most common home-remodeling project and experts say it can dramatically reduce power bills? Yet when it comes to choosing more energy-efficient options, consumers might be overwhelmed by the whirlwind of technology, terminology and options on the market today.

Property owners have to be equipped with accurate data to make the best choices in regards to the many available options. That’s particularly true as power costs continue to rise. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program estimates that the savings from replacing single-pane with Energy Star-qualified windows ranges from $125 to $340 a year for any typical house.

Due to the fact this is actually the time of year when many homeowners attempt remodeling projects, listed below are five basic methods for selecting the most energy efficient doors and windows for your home.

Use Low-E glass. Select windows with Low-E glass, which controls the quantity of heat transferred through the window as well as prevents heat loss in the winter. Jeld-Wen, a window and door manufacturer, currently offers Low-E glass as a standard for its wood and clad wood windows and as an upgrade option for its vinyl house windows.

Up-date technology. Change older single-pane windows with dual-pane units, which protect the house from both cold and warm weather. Making use of both Low-E glass and insulating glass models will bring down home energy costs.

Think about how they are made. Choose doors with energy-efficient cores, sills and frames that supply a barrier to energy exchange. Dual-pane, Low-E glass helps ensure that they will be weathertight and energy-efficient. For instance, research has shown that over time, steel doors made out of polystyrene maintain energy ratings better than doors made with polyurethane.

Have an understanding of the standards. Efficiency ratings are based on U-factor, which is the amount of heat flow through a product. The lower the U-factor, the greater efficient the item. Efficiency is also calculated by Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), indicating the ability to block heat generated by sunshine. The lower the SHGC, the better. Last but not least, experts evaluate Visible Light Transmission, that is the percentage of sun rays that has the capacity to pass through a window or door. Higher percentages imply more light will enter through the glass.

Give attention to efficiency, definitely not features. Manufacturers achieve efficiency in different ways. Regardless of the technology is utilized, among the easiest ways to identify the most energy-efficient items is to simply search for the Energy Star tag.

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