Homeowners are seeing the tangible benefits of home improvement projects that boost energy efficiency and are increasingly choosing ENERGY STAR®-certified products when available. If you are looking into upgrading your home to enhance its energy efficiency, a window replacement project should be at the top of your list. Here’s an overview of why you should prioritize this home improvement project:
Your home’s interior is also known as an energy or thermal envelope, which — ideally — should have sufficient insulation. The energy envelope includes the attic, concrete slab or crawlspace, exterior walls, plus all manners of fenestration such as entry doors, skylights and windows. Keeping a consistent temperature within the energy envelope is important, as this helps minimize heat loss on cold days and heat gain on hot days. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the combined expense of heating and cooling makes up 48% of an average home’s annual energy consumption. A well-insulated energy envelope can dramatically reduce your monthly energy costs.
Insulated Windows
While insulation for most of these components is available in various forms, like batt, blown-in, or expanding foam, glass components like window panes require a different approach. Windows, from typical double-hung windows to entire window walls, are mostly made of glass, which is a naturally conductive material. The solution is a dual-panel glass assembly. By eliminating contact between indoor and exterior surfaces, conduction is dramatically reduced. When installed on insulated window frames, dual-pane glass works in harmony with the other parts of your home’s energy envelope in minimizing unwanted heat loss and heat gain.
Renewal by Andersen® Replacement Windows
Many window companies offer dual-panel glass and insulated frames, but none can match the energy-efficient features of our replacement windows. Our dual-panel High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass has additional features such as low emissivity coatings that block unwanted UV and infrared rays (the latter being the source of heat from the sun), while the air space between the glass panels can be optionally filled with an insulating Argon gas blend. Our Fibrex® material frames feature excellent insulation and durability, on par with traditional wood frames but without wood’s onerous maintenance requirements. Backed by our precise installation procedures, every Renewal by Andersen replacement window is a worthwhile investment in energy efficiency.
To learn more about our energy-efficient window styles, including gliding windows, call Renewal By Andersen® of Seattle today at (206) 777-0954 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free in-home consultation. We serve many areas in and near Bellevue.