Ever wonder how energy-efficient windows work under the hood, beyond just the certification sticker? ENERGY STAR® certified windows are an excellent way to save money on energy bills and improve your home’s comfort. They are also environmentally friendly, and they can increase your home’s value.
An ENERGY STAR® label tells you a window performs well overall, but it doesn’t explain why. That comes down to a handful of individual components working together — here’s what each one actually does.
Low-E Glass
Low-E glass is a microscopically thin coating that reflects heat back inside your home, keeping the temperature consistent. It also reduces the amount of energy that enters your home, which can help lower your heating and cooling costs over time.
This special coating reflects short-wave infrared and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It will significantly reduce UV rays that are known to cause fabrics and furniture to fade.
Choosing energy-efficient windows can also reduce the wear and tear on your heaters and air conditioners, which can result in lower maintenance bills. Plus, the energy savings can increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it in the future.
Energy-Efficient Spacers
Spacers, which separate glass panes in insulated windows, have a significant impact on energy efficiency. They determine the amount of heat and cold that can pass through a window, which can reduce heating and cooling costs and keep the temperature of your home comfortable all year long.
The quality of the spacer system, including its longevity, flexibility and thermal properties, can make a big difference in how well your windows work. Having a bad spacer can lead to condensation and fogging within your insulated windows, which can shorten their lifespan significantly.
Older aluminum spacers flex during temperature changes and can compromise the seal between panes. Modern “warm-edge” spacer designs use less conductive materials and improved geometry to resist that seal failure, which is worth asking about when comparing window options.
Energy-Efficient Seals
One of the most important parts of a window is the seal. It is the material that holds each panel of glass in place and helps to make it energy efficient.
The seal also protects the glass from moisture. When a window isn’t sealed properly, water can enter the frame and cause damage to the glass.
This can be very expensive for homeowners to repair or replace and it can also create a problem for the heating and cooling system. New windows help to prevent this problem from happening by keeping your home sealed.
Energy-Efficient Hardware
Window hardware — locks, cranks, hinges, and balance systems — plays a bigger role in energy efficiency than most homeowners realize. A window that doesn’t close and latch tightly, no matter how good the glass and seals are, will still let air leak around the sash.
Multi-point locking systems pull the sash firmly against the weatherstripping when engaged, creating a tighter seal than a single center-latch design. On casement and awning windows, the crank mechanism and hinges need to hold the sash snugly against the frame when fully closed, since a loose hinge over time can let drafts in even on an otherwise well-built window.
Quality weatherstripping around the frame and sash matters just as much as the hardware itself, since it’s the material that actually closes the small gaps hardware alone can’t. Together, tight-fitting hardware and proper weatherstripping are what let a window’s glass and spacer performance actually translate into real-world energy savings.
Energy-Efficient Installation
Even the best glass, spacers, seals, and hardware won’t perform as advertised if a window isn’t installed correctly. Gaps around the frame from a poor installation let air bypass all of those efficiency features entirely, which is why the installation itself matters as much as the product.
New windows can also add value to your home and increase your home’s marketability, making them a worthwhile investment for any homeowner — especially if you’re looking to sell your home in the near future.
When buying energy-efficient windows, look for the ENERGY STAR® logo and an energy performance label from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). These labels will tell you how energy-efficient a window is, independent of any single manufacturer’s own claims.
Now You Know How Energy-Efficient Windows Work
Murray Window Replacement can help you find energy-efficient windows and install them correctly so every component works as intended. Contact us or call (385) 786-6447 to schedule a consultation.