Energy-efficient windows prevent the transfer of heat from inside your home to outside, helping you save on heating and cooling costs. They feature physical and chemical barriers to stop cooled air from escaping your home in the summer and hot outdoor air from entering your home in the winter.
Florida homeowners rely on their HVAC system to keep their homes cool, but old windows can let the conditioned air escape and the hot, humid air in. Energy efficient replacement windows can prevent this loss.
1. Energy Efficiency
Energy efficient windows have the ability to reduce heat transfer between your home and the outdoors. They are made with multiple panes of glass and low-emissivity coatings that prevent solar heat from entering your home. They also have insulating air spaces to minimize heat loss.
Regular windows can allow cold air to leak out of your house in winter and warm air to escape in summer, causing your heating and cooling systems to work harder than necessary. Energy efficient windows have double or triple-panes and use insulated frames to reduce air leakage.
Energy efficiency is a great way to save money on your electricity bills. ENERGY STAR estimates that homeowners who install Energy-efficient windows in their homes can save up to 12% annually on energy bills.
2. Increased Value
In Florida, where it’s hot and humid for most of the year, homes experience high energy bills. These high energy bills are often due to old windows that leak air and allow hot, humid air to enter. Energy efficient windows prevent these issues by blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and improving insulation.
Unlike regular window frames, which conduct heat in and out of the home, energy-efficient windows feature insulated spaces between window panes to reduce energy transfer. These windows also come with multiple panes and argon gas fills to increase insulation, which leads to lower energy bills and improved comfort. Window companies often have discounts for purchasing in bulk, and completing your upgrade at once bypasses annual price increases. This makes upgrading your windows a great investment for your home.
3. Increased Comfort
In a hot climate, it can be challenging to keep a comfortable indoor temperature. This is because heat can easily escape through windows and force an HVAC system to work harder to cool a home. Energy efficient windows are designed to prevent this problem, keeping conditioned air in your home and blocking out hot and humid outdoor air.
When selecting the right replacement windows for your Lakeland FL home, it is important to look for an ENERGY STAR label. This indicates that the window meets the performance requirements set by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
It is also a good idea to select windows with a low U-factor and a low solar heat gain coefficient, which are essential for a Florida climate. These attributes will help reduce the amount of unwanted heat that enters your home during summer and will keep conditioned air inside your home in winter.
4. Increased Home Value
New windows make a dramatic difference to your home’s appearance and increase its value. They also have a better return rate than most other home improvements, especially upscale renovations like kitchen remodels and composite deck extensions.
High summer temperatures cause your air conditioner to work overtime, driving up energy bills. Often, this is due to older windows that allow warm air to leak into your home, counteracting the efforts of your AC system.
Energy-efficient windows have insulated frames and spacers between panes, blocking warm air from escaping into your home. They have a low U-factor and a low solar heat gain coefficient, which helps keep your home cool in the Florida sun. These features help minimize the use of your air conditioning system and lower your electricity costs over time.
5. Reduced Energy Bills
Upgrading to energy-efficient windows helps you save money on your heating and cooling costs. ENERGY STAR estimates that homeowners can reduce their utility bills by 12%.
Energy-efficient windows feature multiple panes, low-emissivity coatings and gas fills that prevent heat transfer into the home. They also filter out harmful UV rays that cause carpet, furniture and other materials to fade.
Moreover, many homeowners can qualify for efficiency tax credits when they replace their existing windows with energy-efficient ones. These incentives, coupled with rebates offered by Florida Power & Light, can help lower the upfront cost of your window replacement project.
Choosing a quality energy-efficient window is the best way to increase the value of your property and improve your home’s comfort. Contact the experts at Reece Windows & Doors for industry-leading Conservation Window products that meet the ENERGY STAR standards.