Thanks to certain features, windows can achieve energy efficiency. What are these features? Read on to find out more as we conclude this blog series.

3. Theincreasinginterestinachievingenergyefficiencyismainlyfueledby
two things: a better awareness of the environmental impact of energy
use and the need to save on costs as electricity bills rise. A number
of factors determine how energy efficient a home can be but faulty
windows have been shown to decrease energy efficiency by facilitating
heat transfer and air leakage. Improving energy efficiency then can be
partly achieved by ensuring windows are in great shape all the time.
But more than just having windows in good working condition, having
windows made of the right material may have a bigger effect on your
efforts to achieve energy efficiency.
Here’s a quick overview of different window materials and how they
can contribute to your home’s energy efficiency:
METAL
Metal-framed windows are usually made
of aluminum or steel alloy. Metal might not
appear energy-efficient because it quickly
absorbs heat but it can be because it also
quickly releases whatever heat it absorbs.
This means metal-framed windows don’t
contribute a lot to heating a home, keeping
cooling needs at bay.
WOOD
Wooden frames, on the other hand, lose heat
more slowly, making it ideal for use in areas
withgeneralcoldclimates.Byofferingreliable
insulation,woodeasesstrainonHVACsystems
by helping maintain indoor temperature.
PART 1: ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOW MATERIALS

4. VINYL
One of the reasons that makes vinyl a favorite
among homeowners is that it is very easy
to maintain. However, while it is convenient
to care for, a vinyl window also offers great
thermal insulation, helping prevent outdoor
heat from getting in and indoor heat from
getting out.
COMPOSITE
Windows with composite frames generally
get the best that wood and vinyl has to offer,
combining superb insulation (that blocks
thermal transfer hundreds of times better
than metal!) with maintenance ease.
o o o o o
Asidefrommaterials,whatelsecanmakeawindowenergy-efficient?InPart
2,we’llbediscussinghowwindowstylescanalsohaveahandinimproving
energy efficiency in your home.
PART 1: ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOW MATERIALS

6. It’s not just the window’s materials that make a window provide better
energy efficiency, what with different styles offering their own way of
keeping a home ventilated, insulated, and illuminated. Knowing what
each style has to offer can help you decide which one to get to achieve
your energy-efficiency goals.
DOUBLE HUNG WINDOWS
Doublehungwindowsofferlimitedventilation
in that they can only open as big as one sash
but provide great control as both sashes are
operable, allowing homeowners to use just
one or both depending on their needs. They
also let in moderate amounts of natural light,
contributing to daylighting efforts. Because
not a lot of light is let in, this also lessens heat
that gets into homes alongside sunlight.
CASEMENT WINDOWS
As casement windows can be opened all the
way, they create the best opportunities for
ventilation, offering big openings that let a
lot of air in and out to facilitate circulation
and controls that let you angle a sash in such
a way that it captures breezes effectively.
SLIDING WINDOWS
Sliding windows are like double hungs in
that their openings can only be as big as
one sash. However, sliding window sashes
are generally bigger than the ones double
hung windows use so the former is able to
offer better ventilation, cooling and heating a
home quickly as needed. Glass areas are also
usually unobstructed by muntins, letting in a
lot of light into a room to aid in illumination
during the day.
PART 2: WINDOW STYLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

7. BOW AND BAY WINDOWS
Bow and bay windows are both made up of a
seriesofsmallerwindowslaidoutnexttoeach
other, both creating large areas of glass that
let homeowners take advantage of natural
light. All those windows also mean more
openings, allowing bow and bay windows to
provide excellent ventilation.
PICTURE WINDOWS
Picture windows are also known as fixed
windows because they can’t be opened.
This means they can’t offer anything in the
ventilation department but, because they
are kept closed at all times, picture windows
are the best option for optimum insulation.
Named as such because of their ability to
provide stunning outdoor views, picture
windows also have some of the biggest
glass areas around, making them great as
daylighting tools.
o o o o o
In the next part, we’ll be wrapping up this three-part blog series by talking
about how window features contribute to achieving energy efficiency in a
home, complementing style and material options.
PART 2: WINDOW STYLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

9. Choosingawindowmadefromtherightmaterialandinaparticularstyle
can greatly improve your home’s energy efficiency. However, certain
features also contribute, ensuring the best application of ventilation,
insulationandilluminationforyourproperty.Thefollowingisarundown
of some of the most energy-saving features windows can have:
1. WEATHERSTRIPPING
Weatherstripping refers to the strips of rubber or vinyl found on the
edges of the window frame. When the window is fully closed, the
weatherstripping acts as a physical barrier, sealing off gaps between
the sash and the frame to prevent moisture, wind, and dirt from getting
inside.Havinggoodqualityweatherstrippinghelpspreventunregulated
outdoor air from getting inside and affecting the stability of indoor
temperatures.
2. LOW-E AND REFLECTIVE COATING
Low-emissivity and reflective coating enables a window to block out
heat from the sun so excessive heating doesn’t occur inside your home.
They differ, however, in that low-E coating does not impede the level
of natural light a window lets in while it’s possible for reflective coating
to filter out as well some of the light streaming in, although at minute
levels.
PART 3: ENERGY-EFFICIENT FEATURES IN WINDOWS

10. 3. MULTI-PANE GLAZING AND GAS FILLS
Multi-pane glazing means more than one layer of glass is used by a
window. Using several glass layers improves insulation because less
heat is transferred as it goes through a layer of glass. This function is
complemented though by gas (usually argon or krypton) that fills the
space between the layers of glass. The more layers of glass there are in
a window, the less heat is likely to get inside a home.
4. WINDOW TREATMENTS
Though not exactly a window feature, the use of window treatments
improves energy efficiency by further preventing heat inside from
getting out and heat outside from getting in. With air leakage further
kept to a minimum, indoor temperature remains stable, making it easier
to heat or cool depending on what will keep you comfortable.
o o o o o
Windows look great but they can be greatly functional as well. Making
the effort to choose energy-efficient windows when you’re looking for a
replacement will help you address more than one need, ensuring you make
the most out of your investment.
PART 3: ENERGY-EFFICIENT FEATURES IN WINDOWS

11. Renewal by Andersen
of St. Louis
149 Weldon Parkway
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
(314) 332-2364
RBASTL.com