Feeling a draft? It could be your windows – which can account for as much as 50 percent of a home’s heating and cooling energy loss! As you are probably aware, this also means a negative impact on your electric bill. Read more on windows and how they can affect your energy bill here.
Why Leaky Windows are a Problem
Windows that leak air equate to lost energy. This is because your HVAC system is having to work that much harder to reach the temperature that has been set. When you decrease your energy usage, your system runs less often and your electric bill goes down.
Single-Paned vs. Double-Paned Windows
It’s not just drafts from windows that drive energy costs, but also the type of windows you have installed. Most older homes have single-paned windows which do a poor job at keeping radiant heat out during the summer and keeping heat in during the winter. Double-paned windows are effective insulators thanks to gases such as krypton and argon that are inserted between the two panes. Because these gases are denser than air, the windows are far more efficient than their single-paned counterparts. In fact, by replacing single-paned windows with double-paned, annual energy costs can be reduced up to 40 percent!
Window Energy-Efficiency Ratings
If you are looking to purchase new windows in hopes of improving energy efficiency and your electric bill, it is a good idea to understand how energy efficiency is measured by the window manufacturers. This is dependent on several different factors, including:
- U-Value: This represents the window’s ability to conduct heat. The lower the U-value, the less heat can be transferred through the glass.
- R-Value: This measures the window’s insulating ability. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): This measures the amount of sunlight (turned heat) that transfers through the windows to the indoors.
Energy Star Label
The easiest way to determine if a window is energy efficient is to look for the Energy Star label. To qualify for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Star rating, windows much be 15 to 40 percent more energy-efficient than windows commonly used in home construction (a.k.a. builder grade).
How Can I Make My Windows More Energy Efficient?
Fortunately, there are ways to make your windows more energy efficient without having to spend a fortune to replace them. Click here to find out how.
At Northeast Florida Heating & Air, we want you to live comfortably in your home while also minimizing costs and energy use. For more information on our products and services or to schedule a free consultation with one of our highly trained and experienced Comfort Consultants, please call our Jacksonville AC company today at (904) 783-7003.
