If you have older windows in your home, replacing windows may be needed and energy-saving windows are going to be your best option. Upgrading your home with a window replacement is certainly an investment, and as you browse the selections, you may see that Energy Star-rated windows are priced a bit higher.
When you’re on a budget for your home improvement project, this might cause you to consider cheaper options without these ratings. Are energy-efficient windows rated by Energy Star worth the extra cost? Think of it this way, when it comes to improving your home, you should be looking at the long-term savings you’ll enjoy beyond this initial investment.
Pinnacle Home Improvements understands that there is a lot to think about when choosing your windows. As a reputable window replacement contractor, we provide expert guidance on selecting and installing Energy Star windows. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about Energy Star windows and how you can choose them to enhance your home.
Understanding Energy Star Windows
Energy Star is the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. You’ve likely seen the logo on various products from appliances to windows and wondered what it symbolizes. In essence, it provides consumers an easy way to choose energy-efficient options for their homes at a glance.
When you see these logos on windows, you can instantly confirm which ones are backed by these federal agencies. In terms of Energy Star windows, the ratings are earned based on their ability to provide insulation, reflect heat and UV rays away from your home, and minimize air leakage to keep your home energy-efficient.
Windows that are Energy Star-rated have the potential to save you a great deal of money over the years. They provide excellent return on investment for window replacements by conserving energy and improving your energy savings. Third-party testing is used to identify the key metrics for energy efficiency in these windows. Seeing this logo on windows isn’t a status symbol, but rather, a key clue in helping you find the right windows to improve your energy efficiency for years to come.
Benefits of Energy Star Window
What does choosing windows with the Energy Star logo do for you? There are many great benefits you get when you go with Energy Star-rated windows to upgrade your home:
1. More Energy Savings
When you choose more energy efficient options for your home, such as Energy Star windows, you can lower your energy bills. Reducing energy consumption with Energy Star products means your appliances don’t have to work as hard to keep your home warm and cozy in winter or cool and comfortable in summer. These windows provide insulation, and that’s a huge factor for keeping a home’s energy efficiency.
While windows aren’t the only point in a home where air leaks occur, they are the most common culprit. Since Energy Star windows have special coatings, insulation, and designs that improve a home’s energy efficiency, you will soon start to see reductions in your electric bills.
2. Improved Comfort
Energy efficient Energy Star windows may minimize energy costs, but they don’t minimize your comfort along with it. One of the biggest concerns for homeowners is keeping their interior comfortable year-round. If you’ve struggled to get winter’s frosty chill out of your home and paid the price with high heating bills, or suffered in the summer by never fully feeling cool and refreshed indoors, these windows can make a difference.
They work by keeping your home insulated, which puts less wear and tear on your HVAC system. Instead of working overtime to help you reach the desired interior temperature, these Energy Star windows help prevent air leaks that compromise heated or cooled air. Another bonus is that you won’t experience costly premature breakdowns of this key appliance when it’s not being strained.
3. More Noise Reduction
Since Energy Star windows are better insulated, they are also better at reducing noises from outside. While they can’t completely eliminate them, they provide a noticeable difference in dampening the sounds around you. If you live on a busy street, nearby schools or playgrounds, or you can hear your neighbors holding a conversation at normal voice levels in their own yard, you’re going to love this feature.
4. Reduces Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions
If you’re concerned about helping protect the environment, then choosing Energy Star windows will help you make a positive impact on the world. Since Energy Star windows lower your energy consumption, they also reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from your home. You’ll be helping to do your part to be eco-friendly and reduce your carbon footprint, all while enjoying greater energy savings yourself.
5. Allows for More Enjoyment of Natural Daylight
Many homeowners who have older windows find that the only way to keep their home from becoming uncomfortable, particularly in the summer, is to keep the curtains or window blinds pulled shut. It’s certainly an effective way to reduce heat transfer, though the problem is that it blocks out natural light.
Natural light illuminates interiors and gives them an airy and welcoming feeling. If you have to keep your shades drawn shut all day, then you need to turn on lights, which also contributes to energy usage. With energy-saving windows rated by Energy Star, you can open up your curtains and let the sun shine in without wasting electricity through artificial lighting or causing temperature discomfort indoors.
6. Protection for Your Home
If you don’t have energy efficient windows, repeated sunlight exposure can damage your favorite furnishings. Energy Star-rated windows have Low-E coatings that provide protection from fading of your family photos, paintings, rugs, draperies, furniture, and more.
In addition to blocking these harmful rays, they also protect your home by reducing window condensation. Windows that aren’t energy efficient get too cold, causing water to condense on the interior. This can cause the moisture to pool around the window, causing damage that creates mold growth and wood rot. When you choose Energy Star windows, the inner surface of the glass and the frame stay warmer, which reduces condensation and protects your home.
7. Potential Tax Credits
You can save even more with Energy Star windows as you may qualify for tax credits and incentives. If you can get rebates and discounts for choosing energy efficient windows, it will cut down on the costs, making them a much better option for your home.
Are Energy-Efficient Windows Worth It?
Upgrading to energy-saving windows for homes is definitely an investment, though you should consider all factors rather than focus on the upfront costs. The price for installing Energy Star-rated windows will depend on the number of windows on your home, the size of each window, the materials, and the number of layers of glass.
Double-glazed windows, which feature two layers of glass with a non-toxic gas fill between them, will cost more than single-pane windows, though they will cost less than triple-glazed windows, which have an added layer of glass and a second gas-fill. Advanced coatings and features will raise the upfront costs more, though comparing these costs over time will translate to greater savings for you.
Homeowners should always look at the bigger picture when they are investing into home improvement projects. With new windows, you will boost your home’s property value and curb appeal all at once. Newer windows can give your home the facelift it needs without compromising its architectural charms.
You’ll also cut down on overworking your HVAC system, helping it to live its entire lifespan rather than having it breakdown when you need it most or worse, a system failure that requires it to be replaced. The savings on your energy bills will make up for the initial costs in time, making these energy-efficient windows worth it in the long run.
Maintenance Tips for Maximizing the Efficiency and Lifespan of Energy Star Windows
When you have Energy Star windows installed, it’s important to know how to maintain them to maximize their efficiency and lifespan. Many homeowners ask about what they need to do, and the good news is that these types of windows require minimal care.
Taking care of them only requires regular cleaning with a soft cloth and mild detergent. This will help preserve your protective coatings on your Energy Star windows. Using a dry brush and a vacuum nozzle will help you clean the window tracks, and if you see any grime built up in there, use some mild soap and water to gently wipe it away.
Beyond these simple care steps for regular maintenance, make sure you inspect your windows once a year. You’ll want to look at the seals and weather stripping to watch for cracks and gaps, which can lead to air drafts and reduced energy efficiency. While it’s important to look at the seals and the panes, don’t forget to check the window frames, especially if you’ve chosen wood as the material. Staying ahead of problems by keeping an eye on your windows will make it easier for minor issues to turn into major ones.
Choosing the Right Energy Star Windows
Choosing windows can be overwhelming for many homeowners since few have ever had to buy new windows before, and there are tons of options. It’s important to look for the Energy Star label when you’re making your selections as it can cut down on your research and make it easy to see at a glance which windows you should consider. These labels are kept simple to detail the best climate zones, ensuring you find options that best fit your needs. They will also help you find the best U-Factor rating and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) for your local climate.
As you look at these windows, it’s just as important to consider the orientation of the windows in your home. You can choose specific windows for different sides of your house, allowing them to provide the best energy efficiency based on the way they face.
At Pinnacle Home Improvements, we can provide more assistance by assessing your home to help you make the right choice. Since Energy Star-rated windows are often eligible for incentives and tax credits from the federal government, we can help you learn more about these added savings too.
Pinnacle Home Improvements’ Approach to Energy Star Windows
If you’re ready to start your window replacement with Pinnacle Home Improvements, it will all begin with a consultation and choosing your new windows. You will need to choose the frame material, glazing, designs, glass cuts, and more for your windows, and while that may seem overwhelming, our team will be there with you to guide you through all of the options.
We can show you the advantages of Low-E coatings, double- and triple-pane windows, and other energy-saving features promoted by Energy Star. This will ensure that you get the best benefits for your home.
After selecting your energy-saving windows, we will begin the installation process which starts with the proper removal and disposal of your current windows. Next, we install the new ones according to the instructions from the manufacturer to ensure the warranty isn’t voided and that everything is done right.
The process will vary depending on your home’s construction since each building material like masonry, wood, brick, stucco, and siding all require specific approaches. No matter the material, our installation team knows how to handle it all. As we follow building codes to install flashing and make sure everything is sealed right, we pay attention to every detail. Once finished, we inspect every part of every window, giving you complete peace of mind.
Energy Star-rated windows will definitely save you time in the selection process by letting you see which windows are efficient in a glance. Since they come in many styles and varieties, we’re here to guide you through this process from start to finish to fall in love with your home again. Contact Pinnacle Home Improvements to get a free quote and to learn more about choosing Energy Star windows for your window replacement project.
