Energy efficiency is a popular buzzword in home ownership today. Why? An energy-efficient home is great for the environment. And it’s also better for your pocketbook! When exploring options for making your home more energy efficient, a key step toward eco-conscious and budget-friendly home ownership is window replacement!
Five Ways Window Replacement Boosts Home Energy Efficiency
Window replacement is one of the best ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Here are five ways upgrading to energy-efficient windows makes a difference:
1. Reduced Energy Consumption
Replacing your old windows with energy-efficient vinyl windows can save you up to 15% on annual energy costs! In terms of overall savings, that’s as much as $500 or more annually saved on utility bills. So, while replacement windows involve up-front costs, as with any home improvement, they recoup that cost in home value and energy savings.
2. Improved Insulation
Older windows have only a single pane of glass, which results in a much higher air infiltration rate than double-paned replacement windows. Air infiltration is the rate at which air leaks into (or out of) the home through windows and doors. A higher air infiltration rate means more heat is lost in the winter and gained in the summer.
The typical window in homes today has an air infiltration rate of .70, but the maximum allowable infiltration rate for residential construction today is only .30! Rolox double-hung vinyl windows have one of the lowest air infiltration rates on the market, ensuring an optimally energy-efficient experience!
3. Reduced Heat Transfer
Another factor to consider when replacing windows is the framing. Certain window frame materials, like aluminum, may conduct heat and cause greater heat transfer in and out of the home. This is one of the reasons we are such big proponents of vinyl window frames. Not only is vinyl a highly affordable and aesthetically pleasing window frame material, but it also blocks heat from escaping by creating a solid barrier that doesn’t absorb heat!
4. Custom, Perfect Fit
Oftentimes, the windows placed in homes don’t fit perfectly. This means filling in the gaps with other materials to ensure the windows stay in place and have a decent seal. Window replacement allows you to find custom-sized windows built to your home’s specifications, guaranteeing no gapping and an excellent seal.
All of Rolox Home Service’s vinyl replacement windows are custom-designed for our customers’ homes to ensure a beautiful, energy-efficient fit every time. They also have 50% more weather stripping than standard replacement windows, which creates an even better barrier against adverse conditions and air infiltration.
5. Better HVAC Efficiency
When your HVAC system doesn’t have to work overtime to heat or cool your home, your energy bills will be lower, and you won’t need an HVAC replacement as soon. A more efficient HVAC system also means better indoor air quality because your HVAC isn’t struggling to manage fluctuating temperatures and circulate the air effectively.
6. Specialized Window Coatings and Treatments
Window replacement is an opportunity to invest in even better window quality by incorporating different window treatments and coatings that enhance energy efficiency. Some coatings that can further boost energy efficiency include:
- Insulated coatings that block external air from impacting window glass temperatures
- Low-E (low-emissivity) coatings that block infrared and UV rays from infiltrating your home
- UV-Blocking coatings that block up to 99.9% of UV rays and 80% of solar heat
How Do I Know if My Windows Affect My Home’s Energy Efficiency?
While the age of your windows is a good indicator of whether or not they’re due for replacement, this information is sometimes hard to come by. While you may be able to find a manufacturer number on the window glass or spacer channel, a better way to determine whether it’s time to replace your windows is by their energy performance.
If your home has poor energy efficiency — indicated by spiking energy bills or difficulty controlling ambient indoor temperatures — windows are likely the culprit. This is especially true if you see any visible damage to your windows or gapping around the seams.
Rolox Vinyl Windows are the Best Option for Energy Efficient Window Replacement!
If you’re looking for window replacement in the Kansas City area, no windows can compare to Rolox vinyl windows! Our vinyl replacement windows are highly rated by both ENERGY STAR and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) for excellent energy performance. They also provide twice the R-factor of our competitors’ vinyl foam-filled windows.
Give your home the energy efficiency boost it deserves with brand-new vinyl windows! Contact Rolox Home Service today to schedule your free, no-obligation in-home consultation.
