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Did you know that replacing old windows and doors with more efficient options is one way to significantly reduce your utility costs?

Replacing Windows Saves on Energy Costs

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), being energy-efficient in your home can save you about a third on energy bills. In addition to lowering heating and cooling costs, replacing your outdated and inefficient windows and doors will improve your overall comfort and reduce fading of carpets, artwork, and other items from the exposure to sunlight.
There are a few different ways you can update or improve your home to make it more energy-efficient and save money:

  1. Install new energy-efficient windows in your home to reduce energy costs
  2. Or, alternatively, if you have a tighter budget, you can improve your existing windows and doors with some of our energy-efficient recommendations.

Replace Your Windows and Doors with Energy-Efficient Products

If your home is older or your windows are inefficient, it might be more cost-effective to replace them all together. When properly selected and installed, energy-efficient windows eventually pay for themselves through lower heating and cooling costs, and sometimes even lighting costs.

Before selecting new windows for your home, it is important to understand the energy performance ratings of windows. The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have developed the ENERGY STAR designation for products meeting certain energy performance criteria. Use this guide below provided by ENERGY STAR to determine which energy performance ratings you need for your windows based on your climate and the home’s design.

A white bottle with a gold lid and a rainbow colored background.

Energy-Efficient Windows Glossary

It might also be beneficial to familiarize yourself with terms that appear on many window labels:

  • Frame materials – usually vinyl, wood, aluminum, fiberglass, or a combination of those are used to create the frame material of windows. The following breaks down each material by strengths and areas to keep in mind:
    • Vinyl
      PRO: Acts as a good insulator and easy to maintain.
      CON: Contracts and expand with temperature changes which could affect the window’s air leakage, Good high quality windows will not be affected.
    • Wood
      PRO: Offers a classic look
      CON: Affected by moisture changes and requires regular maintenance Not good in a humid climate like Houston Texas and along the Texas Gulf Coast.
    • Fiberglass
      PRO: Very stable and low-maintenance
      CON: More expensive
    • Aluminum
      PRO: Lightweight, stable, and a good sound proofer
      CON: Is a rapid conductor of heat, making it much less energy efficient than the other materials listed.
  • Gas Fills – this is the gas (typically argon or krypton) that is “sandwiched†between glazing layers to improve insulation and slow heat transfer.
  • Glazing – the glass used in the window. Glazing coatings can substantially affect a window’s U-factor, or degree of insulation against the environmental factors. Keep in mind that the number of layers of glazing (single, double, or triple) doesn’t necessarily equal greater efficiency.
  • Low-E – stands for low emissivity, or the window’s ability to reflect heat. Low-E coatings add up to 10% to the price of a window. Alternatively, if your windows are in fairly good shape, you can apply Low-E films to your windows. They’re effective, but not as much as those put between glazing layers during manufacturing.
  • Spacers – are separated sheets of glass within the window. They are used to improve insulation quality by preventing condensation and heat loss.

A white bottle with a gold lid and a rainbow colored background.

Improve the Energy-Efficiency of Existing Windows

If your budget is tight, energy efficiency improvements to existing windows can also help lower utility bills. You can improve the energy efficiency of existing windows by:

  • Caulking and weather stripping – to reduce air leakage around windows. Use caulk for stationary cracks, gaps, or joints less than one-quarter-inch wide, and weather stripping for building components that move, such as doors and operable windows.
  • Adding storm windows –field studies have found that they can help reduce air movement into and out of existing windows. Therefore, they help reduce heating and cooling costs.
  • Using window treatments or coverings – can reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Most window treatments, however, aren’t effective at reducing air leakage or infiltration.

As an ENERGY STAR partner with EPA certification, Cambridge Doors & Windows, Inc. windows and doors are compliant with ENERGY STAR criteria. If you have any additional questions about reducing your utility costs by switching to energy-efficient windows or need assistance choosing the right replacement windows for your home, please Contact us at 281-530-8100.

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