According to the Department of Energy, space heating and cooling can account for about half of an average home’s annual utility expenses. Fortunately, you can stay comfortable while reducing energy costs by investing in energy-efficient replacement windows. In today’s blog post, Renewal by Andersen® of Alaska takes a look at how window replacement can help improve the energy efficiency of your home.

How New Windows Improve Home Energy Efficiency

Windows are part of your home’s insulated enclosure known as the energy envelope, which also includes the exterior walls and the roof. Under ideal conditions, the energy envelope should keep thermal transfer to a minimum, resulting in reduced heat loss during the heating seasons, and reduced heat gain during the cooling seasons. The lower workload that’s placed on the HVAC system, the lower the resulting energy bills will be.

Qualities of Energy-Efficient Windows

Our capable window installers and consultants can help you find the right energy-efficient windows for your home, or simply look for the ENERGY STAR® rating when buying new windows. If you are looking for specific features, here are some of the qualities that you should look for.

• Insulation. Let’s start with the most important component: window glass. Insulated glass typically consists of two glass panels separated by a spacer. The gap between the interior and exterior surfaces acts as an insulating layer, and can be enhanced with an insulating gas fill. Look for the U-Factor, as indicated on its energy ratings label — the lower the U-Factor, the better the insulation.

• SHGC. The solar heat gain coefficient measures how well the windows can resist heat gain from direct sunlight. The lower the SHGC value (also found on the energy ratings label), the less you’ll spend on cooling.

• Installation. Poor installation can defeat even the best replacement windows on the market. This is why it’s important to choose a replacement window company that has a track record of quality installations and a limited warranty that includes installation or workmanship.

Learn more about how our replacement windows can help make your home more energy-efficient by filling out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve communities in Kenai Peninsula, The Valley, Fairbanks and Anchorage, AK.