subject: Today's Vinyl Windows Are Extremely Energy Efficient [print this page] The vinyl windows of today are more efficient than ever. The vinyl frames are made of durable low maintenance materials that reduce heat transfer and help insulate better. Certain sections may be hollow or filled with foam insulation. Windows can account for as much as 25-30% of heat loss in homes. By choosing your windows you need to take into consideration if you live in a heating or cooling dominated climate and then properly select the new windows that can help decrease your energy costs.
Your new vinyl window should come with a label that details various aspects of its energy efficiency. This label is your way of choosing the best energy efficient windows you can afford. A few of the terms you will see on the label are U-Factor or U-Value and that tells you how quickly heat can escape through your window, a lower number is better. R-Value measures how well a window performs as an insulator. A higher R-Value means better insulation. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) number indicates the window's capability to block heat from the sun. Ratings can range from zero which is the best to 1.0 which is the worst.
Visible Transmittance (VT) is a measure of how much light gets in through the glass. The higher the VT number is the more light you will see. These can range from zero to one with a rating of zero meaning that the glass would not let any light in. Air Leakage (AL) rating tells you how much air can get through the window, in this case, a lower number is better.
Multiple paned windows can be filled with an air of gas in the middle, which will insulate much better than a single pane of glass. A couple types of gases that are used are argon or krypton and they are odorless, colorless, non-toxic, and insulate better than regular air. Some Energy Star qualified windows that include three or more panes will give you even greater energy efficiency, increased impact resistance, and sound insulation.
Low-E Glass, the "low-e" means low emittance of energy has special coatings that reflect infrared light, keeping heat inside in winter and outside in summer. They also reflect damaging ultraviolet light, which helps to protect interior furnishings from fading. You could choose from clear, bronze tint or low solar gain glass for your vinyl windows. Taking into consideration what would work best for your climate, your house design and your utility rates.
By installing new vinyl energy efficient windows you can reduce your energy costs and improve the value of your home. The EIA (Energy Information Administration) has estimated the future inflation rate or utilities to be 3% annually. By taking that into consideration without installing newer energy efficient windows may cost you what would be equivalent to a 30% increase in energy cost over the next ten years. When it comes to improving the value, some studies suggest that new vinyl windows can add $20,000-30,000 to a home's asking price.
When looking for windows to replace your older ones, it is pretty much guaranteed that they will be more energy efficient than the ones you have now. If you compare all the different factors including aspects of various makes and models, your climate and the overall improvement to your home's value then vinyl windows can be a very smart addition to your home.
