Did you know your home’s windows may have more of an impact on your energy bills than you think? In fact, according to Energy.gov, heat transfer through windows accounts for 25-30% of a home’s heating and cooling energy use. If you find yourself frequently fiddling with your thermostat in an effort to keep a comfortable indoor temperature, it could be a sign it’s time to invest in new windows. In order to ensure maximum home energy efficiency, you’ll want to choose new windows with:

Strong Insulative Properties

If heat is entering and escaping your home at will, you likely have windows with poor insulation. Investing in new windows with insulating features will greatly reduce heat transfer, taking stress off your home’s HVAC system and potentially leading to decreases on your utility bill. Consider replacement windows from Renewal by Andersen^®, for example. Andersen windows are outfitted with frames made from Fibrex^®. This proprietary composite material offers incredible thermal insulating power and doesn’t expand or contract in extreme temperature swings like other window materials can.

Low-Emissivity Glass Coatings

Other factors that can contribute to uncomfortable indoor temperatures are solar heat and ultraviolet and infrared rays. With average windows, heat and rays can pass into the home with ease, forcing the air conditioner to work harder than it should. Fortunately, this issue can be overcome with new windows that have low-emissivity glass coatings. Low-emissivity glass, or low-E glass, is an incredibly thin coating—often consisting of microscopic pieces of metal—that is virtually invisible to the naked eye. With low-E glass, heat and harmful sunrays are reflected off the window while sunlight is still able to pass through. This feature not only helps keep temperatures consistent inside the home, but also keeps valuables like furniture and artwork from fading.

Weatherstripping

Can you see sunlight passing through your windows and their openings? If so, this is an indication that your windows are not maintaining an airtight seal, which is problematic if you are trying to keep your heating and cooling costs down. If you are looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency, consider replacement windows that come with weatherstripping. Seamless weatherstripping helps create an airtight seal between the window frame and your home, preventing drafts and keeping dirt and debris away.

Expert Installation in Mind

If your windows were previously replaced by an inexperienced or fly-by-night company, it won’t be long before flaws in the installation begin to surface, adversely affecting your home’s thermal performance. Similarly, you’ll want to avoid a shoddy installation when looking for a company to perform the replacement. Be sure to choose a window company whose technicians are factory trained and certified to install the products they carry.

The Top Choice for Energy-Efficient Windows in Greater Wisconsin

Does it seem like a tall task finding replacement windows that have all of these energy-saving features? Fortunately for homeowners living in Green Bay and surrounding areas, you won’t have to look very far for such products. As the area’s exclusive provider of Renewal by Andersen^® windows, RBA of Greater Wisconsin is proud to install energy-efficient windows that feature all of the aforementioned qualities. Get in touch with us today to learn how our replacement windows can improve your home’s thermal performance.