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Windows are typically 10% to 25% of the exterior wall surface area and they can contribute 25% to 50% of heating and cooling costs. Energy efficient windows can help reduce this cost and have several other benefits as well.

1. Comfort: Energy efficient windows conduct less heat and reduce infiltration in the home. The comfort difference can be felt both during the summer and winter.
2. Energy Savings: If you have air conditioning, installing Dual-pane Low-E windows can have a dramatic effect on reducing your electricity bill and prolonging the life of your air conditioning equipment. Similarly, during the winter, old windows can account for as much as 25% of the heat loss in your home and installing new windows will reduce your gas bill and can prolong the life of your heating equipment.
3. Moisture Control: condensation often occurs on old windows because their surface temperature is so cold. Energy-efficient windows have a higher insulation rating (lower U-factor) and remain warmer, thereby eliminating condensation on the windows. This is important for efficiency, indoor air quality and the structural integrity of your home.
4. Reduced Fading: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight can fade color from organic materials such as draperies, carpeting and wood furnishings. High efficiency windows with Low-E glazing can prevent 85% of the sun’s UV rays from entering the home
5. Noise Reduction: Double pane windows reduce transmission of outdoor noise, making your home quieter. The difference can be significant, in particular noise from vehicle traffic on streets is dramatically reduced.
6. Convenience: modern windows have tilt-in features that allow both sides to be easily cleaned from inside.

If you have decided to install energy efficient windows, then perhaps you have done some research and noticed that there are numerous types, brands, models and designs to choose from. Every manufacturer touts their special features and claims that their window has the best performance. How do you know if the window you are buying really does have the best performance? Fortunately, the research has already been done for you. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a non-profit organization that administers a uniform, independent rating and labeling system for the energy performance of windows, doors, skylights, and attachment products. Any main-stream window or door will have a NFRC energy performance label.

According to the NFRC: “The energy performance label can help you determine how well a product will perform the functions of helping to cool your building in the summer, warm your building in the winter, keep out wind, and resist condensation. By using the information contained on the label, builders and consumers can reliably compare one product with another, and make informed decisions about the windows, doors, and skylights they buy. NFRC adopted a new energy performance label in 2005. It lists the manufacturer, describes the product, provides a source for additional information, and includes ratings for one or more energy performance characteristics. NOTE: All energy performance values on the label represent the rating of windows/doors as whole systems (glazing and frame).”

When helping you decide on the right window for your home, AHE will go over the ratings of the windows we recommend and show you how they compare to other window options. This is the only way to compare the performance of windows and make an educated decision.