Phoenix Energy Efficient Windows

Replacing your windows with energy efficient windows in Phoenix can be a great investment.

• Significant reduction in your utility bills
• Make your home noticeably more comfortable
  
• Reduce wear and tear on your air conditioner because it will run less and therefore require fewer repairs and last longer
  

The energy savings achieved by installing energy efficient replacement windows in Phoenix will be different for everyone. The savings is dependent on the type of windows you currently have, the orientation of your windows to the sun, any shade your windows have and how well your current and new windows are installed.

You can down download an Arizona Fact Sheet from www.efficientwindows.org for more information on the expected energy savings.

Choose a Phoenix replacement window contractor carefully.

• A knowledgeable contractor can help you choose the best windows for your home
• A reputable contractor will not sell you "more window" than you need (e.g., a window that gets very little direct sunlight does not need Low-E coating)
• Improperly installed windows may be less energy efficient than your old windows

“ENERGY STAR” is a government backed program that helps people save money and protect our environment through the use of energy efficient products and practices. Whether you are looking to replace old appliances, remodel your home, or buy a new house, ENERGY STAR can help. More than 60 types of products, including appliances, televisions, computers, heating and cooling equipment, and even new homes can earn the government’s ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR also offers best practice solutions to make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy costs.

Learn more at www.energystar.gov.

The energy efficiency of a window is determined by many factors. The glass, or glazing, and the frame influence how energy efficient a window is and therefore its ratings.

Manufactures can increase the energy efficiency of a window in several ways:

• Insulating the frame
• Adding double or triple panes
• Using Low-E coatings
• Filling the cavity between the panes with Argon or Krypton gas
  

Double pane windows are standard in energy efficient windows. Glass is a very poor insulator. Think about holding a glass how hot or how cold a glass gets when you have a hot or cold drink in it. Now think of a thermos. Virtually no hot or cold pass from the hot or cold drink inside to the exterior because there is an air space between the inner liner and the exterior. That is the same way that double pane windows work.

To improve the energy efficiency of double paned windows manufacturers add a non-toxic gas between the panes that further restricts the amount of hot or cold that transmits through the air space. Manufacturers also add Low-E coatings to glass which reflects radiant heat back in the direction it came from. This helps keep the sun's heat out in the summer and warmth inside in the winter.

Gas insulated windows

Krypton gas and Argon gas are added between the 1/2" to 3/4" space between the glass. The gasses are heavier than air and make it more difficult for hot or cold air to pass through. Krypton is the heavier of the two gasses and needs a narrower gap between the panes however it is more expensive. The gasses are non-toxic so a damaged window does not cause a health risk.

Low-E coatings

Low-E stands for Low Emissivity and is a very thin, non visible, coating applied to the side of a pane of glass that faces the air gap between the panes. Windows are available with high, moderate and low solar gain Low-E coatings. The level depends of where you live and how much direct sunlight a window receives.

Together with the benefits related to energy and money savings, energy efficient windows in Phoenix homes also improve the appearance of a home, reduce the noise level, permit less dust to come in a house, preserve the interior (carpet, rugs, floors, furniture, window coverings, art, pictures) against fading caused by ultraviolet light, permit more light in and reduce condensation on the windows.