If you’re looking to create a greener living space but don’t know where to start, the U.S. Department of Energy is now offering free installation of energy efficient windows for your convenience.Here’s everything you need to know about what energy efficient windows do and how to install them.
The DOE website shares that energy efficient windows can be used in new or existing homes.Heat gained and lost through windows accounts for 20 to 30 percent of a home’s heating and cooling energy.Essentially, energy efficient windows are designed with extra layers of insulation to keep air from escaping, so your home doesn’t work overtime (and increase your bills!) trying to heat or cool itself.
What are energy efficient windows?According to Modernize, energy efficient windows feature “double or triple glazing, high quality window frames, a low-e glass coating, argon or krypton gas filling between the panes, and glazing spacers installed.”
Examples of high-quality window frames include materials such as fiberglass, wood, and composite wood.The glass coating, known as low-emissivity, is designed to control the way heat energy from sunlight is trapped in the panels.The example given by Modernize is that external low-e glass windows can isolate heat from your home while still letting in sunlight.Low-e glazing can also work in reverse, letting in heat and blocking sunlight.
If you’re worried about the idea of ”inflating” between the window panes, don’t worry!Argon and krypton are colorless, odorless and nontoxic.The goal of energy efficient window design is to benefit the homeowner in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
Through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Connecticut established the Climate Assistance Program to reduce energy and fuel-related costs for low-income housing through home improvement.If eligible, the program qualifies your home for free energy-efficient windows.
A full list of eligibility, including application, is listed on the Weathering Assistance Program website here.If selected, you will undergo an energy audit to determine which climate measures will be installed.Other procedures that may help your home include heating system repairs, attic and sidewall insulation, and health and safety inspections.
The DOE website also has a list of recommendations for determining if your windows are already in good condition and can be replaced with a more efficient variety.If you decide to replace your current windows with energy efficient varieties, be sure to do your research.
Make sure to look for the ENERGY STAR label on the window.All energy efficient windows have a performance label issued by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), which can be used to determine the energy efficiency of a product.Thankfully, for the benefit of consumers, the NFRC website provides a guide to all ratings and meanings on the performance label.
Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to decide what to do with their windows, but don’t worry, you won’t regret installing energy efficient windows for a greener and cost-saving homeowner experience.
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