Your Money And Our Environment: Save Both With Energy-efficient Windows
Millions are going gaga over saving our planet's natural resources
. Going green has suddenly become super-cool. Furthermore, those who have jumped onto the energy-savings bandwagon are now seeing substantial returns on their investments. Conversely, many others have yet to see the proverbial green go-light. They simply see the greenbacks that will go directly from their bank accounts into the coffers of money-grubbing opportunists who might be exploiting the green movement in an effort to sell them products they do not need and cannot afford.
Though this is probably true in some cases, the fact remains that, in the minds of many homeowners, their perception is that they "cannot afford" to go green because they cannot see the forest due to the trees. Chances are, they simply haven't done the math and they fail to trust those who have. Yet those who have done the math know that investing a little now will pay huge dividends in the long run. They realize that going green is not only best for the environment, it's also best, in the long run, for the homeowner's bank account as well.
In an attempt to encourage energy conservation, at a time when the economy hit rock-bottom, Uncle Sam began rewarding homeowners with a tax-credit of up to $1,500 as an incentive to make every home in America as energy-efficient as possible. All homeowners are still eligible to receive this tax incentive, but they must act quickly before the end of 2010.
Though there are many home improvement projects that qualify for this tax credit, scientific research, such as that done by the Department of Energy's LBA energy labs, has proven that most homeowners today are throwing 40% to 50% of their hard-earned dollars out the window by having windows that are either not energy-efficient due to poor insulation, or not as energy efficient as they should be.
So the longer a homeowner puts off replacing their old inefficient drafty windows, the more money they will waste. Conversely, energy-efficient windows will pay for themselves many times over by reducing heating and cooling costs.
If you notice cold air creeping in through your windows in the winter time, or if you are concerned about the skyrocketing rise of your utility bills, you owe it to yourself to consider replacing those old drafty windows with new high-tech energy-efficient windows. Also, if your windows are either single or double panes, a triple-pane window is definitely something worth looking into.
If saving money or saving the environment is important to you, then the smart thing to do is to get a free in-home evaluation from an energy expert. A qualified energy expert can perform tests to determine exactly how energy efficient your home really is. Better safe than sorry.
But with so many windows to choose from, how does a discerning homeowner determine which window is the most energy-efficient? Here are four steps that will help you make the right decision.
Step 1: Does the Window Carry the Energy Star Seal of Approval?
The first step is to find out whether or not a window has the Energy Star seal of approval. Many do, most do not. If a window does not carry the Energy Star seal of approval, not only is it not energy-efficient; it will not qualify you for the all-important $1500 energy tax credit.
What is Energy Star?
Energy Star, according to their website, is "the trusted, government-backed symbol for energy efficiency helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices." The Energy Star label was established to:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy; and make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort.
Products that earn the Energy Star Label have been vigorously tested for energy consumption and performance. Any window that has not received the Energy Star label is not among the most energy-efficient windows on the market.
Step 2: Find out the Energy-Efficiency of the Window You're Planning to Purchase
Of those windows that do qualify for the Energy Star Label, some windows are more energy-efficient than others. For example, in order for a window to receive the Energy Star label, it only needs a U Value of 0.35 or less. U Value, also known as U Factor, refers to the "overall heat transfer coefficient." Though some windows have a U Value as high as 1.25 or more, other windows have a U Value that is much less than the 0.35 minimum. Remember: The lower the U Value, the more energy-efficient the window is. Also, the lower the U Value, the greater a window's resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value.
If a window is Energy Star approved, the window dealer should be able to tell you the U Value of the window they sell. They probably won't be able to give you an estimate over the phone, but they should be able to tell you the U value over the phone. This eliminates most of the guesswork. Check around for the lowest U Value. Renewal by Andersen Windows have a U Value of .30. Pella Imperva Windows have a U Value of .29. Some lesser-known windows, such as Bristol Windows and Penguin Windows, have U Values ranging as low as .19 to .24.
Of course, there are many other things to consider besides energy-efficiency. Ask about warranties and security features. It is especially important to read the fine print on warranties. Some so-called lifetime warranties are not as good as they sound.
Step 3: Determine the Energy-Efficiency of your Current Windows
An energy expert can determine the energy-efficiency of your current windows by checking the rate of heat loss, which is indicated in terms of the window's U Value. If the U Value of your windows are over .35, investing in an energy-efficient window will often pay for itself many times over.
Step 4: Get Your Free Estimate
Once you have determined that a window is not only Energy Star approved, but it has the lowest U Value you can find, you are now ready to have your windows measured for a free estimate. An energy-efficiency expert can help you make this important decision. Most window companies provide free consultation and free estimates with no obligation. It's always a good idea to get several estimates before making a decision.
by: Tom Gruber
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