Installing an energy-efficient window replacement can help improve indoor comfort and lower heating costs. You can maximize the energy savings from energy-efficient windows by incorporating passive heating.
Here’s how passive heating works and how you can take advantage of it:
How Passive Solar Design Works
The windows in homes with passive solar or climatic designs are placed on the south side, the part that receives the greatest amount of sunlight. A system of fans and blowers then distribute heat throughout the house, reducing the strain on HVAC systems.
Incorporating Passive Solar Design
You don’t need to install additional fans and blowers to incorporate passive solar design into your home. All you need to do is make sure there are windows facing the south side, so that heat from the sun enters your home.
What about summer? Too much solar heat entering your home can force your HVAC system to consume more electricity to keep temperatures at a comfortable level. This shouldn’t be a problem if you installed windows with a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). The lower the window’s SHGC, the less heat that can pass through a window.
Renewal by Andersen offers a wide variety of energy-efficient windows. If you’re looking for a window that can provide year-round energy-efficiency, Fibrex® casement windows with Low-E4® SmartSun™ glass would be a smart investment. Our exclusive Low-E4 glass provides better energy efficiency than a standard insulated glass unit while Fibrex®, an exclusive wood fiber and thermoplastic composite, has excellent insulative capabilities. Windows with Low-E4 glass are 70% and 50% more energy-efficient than a conventional dual-pane window in summer and winter respectively.
To learn more about our energy-efficiency options, consult one of the contractors at Renewal by Andersen.
Renewal by Andersen® of Seattle offers a wide variety of windows, including bay windows. To schedule a free in-home or virtual consultation, call us at (206) 777-0954 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Seattle, WA, as well as the surrounding communities.