Suburban Blog

10 Ways to Make your Home Energy-Efficient this Summer

 

 1) Energy-efficient windows incorporating advanced technologies like low-E glass coatings, gas filler between layers, and composite framing materials keep heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer. For information on Suburban's most energy-efficient replacement window, The Heat Mirror, click here.

2) Vinyl siding on exterior walls saves money on installation and maintenance; fiber cement siding is termite and water resistant and warrantied to last 50 years.

3) More durable roof coverings such as steel and fiber cement reduce the frequency of roof replacement. Lighter colors absorb less heat, reducing cooling costs in warm climates. 

4) Selecting more efficient, correctly sized heating, cooling and water-heating equipment will also save money on your energy bill.

5) Incorporating passive solar design features like large, south-facing windows helps heat the home in the winter and allows for increased natural daylighting. 

6) Covered entries at exterior doors help to prevent water intrusion, reducing maintenance and enhancing durability. 

7) The energy-efficiency of refrigerators and freezers has tripled over the last three decades because they have more insulation, advanced compressors, better door seals, and more accurate temperature controls. 

8) Foundations should be as well insulated as the living space walls for efficient home energy use and enhanced comfort, particularly if the basement is used as a family room or bedroom.

9) Tree preservation reduces landscaping and future energy costs and helps provide winter wind breaks or summer shade. 

10) Recycled plastic lumber and wood composite materials reduce reliance on chemically treated lumber and durable hardwood for decks, porches, trim, and fencing. 

How to Save Energy This Summer: Locate Air Leaks in Your Home

     Did you know that the potential energy savings from reducing drafts in your home may range from 5-30% per year, and your home is generally much more comfortable afterward. First, check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling. Also look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots. Check to see if the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition. Next, check to see if air can flow through these places:

• Electrical Outlets
• Switch Plates
• Window Frames
• Baseboards
• Weather stripping around doors
• Fireplace Dampers
• Attic hatches
• Wall or window-mounted air conditioners

     Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window leaks. You can usually seal these leaks by caulking or weather stripping them. Check the storm windows to see if they fit and are not broken. You may also wish to consider replacing your windows and doors with newer, high-performance, energy efficient ones such as the revolutionary Heat Mirror replacement window (click for more information).
If you are having difficulty locating leaks, you may want to conduct a basic building pressurization test:

1. First, close all exterior doors,windows, and fireplace flues.
2. Turn off all combustion appliances such as gas burning furnaces and water heaters.
3. Then turn on all exhaust fans (generally located in the kitchen and bathrooms) or use a large window fan to suck the air out of the rooms.

This test increases infiltration through cracks and leaks, making them easier to detect. You can use incense sticks or your damp hand to locate these leaks. IF you use incense sticks, moving air will cause the smoke to waver, and if you use your damp hand, any drafts will feel cool to your hand.

 

 

What is Heat Mirror Insulated Glass?

    Heat Mirror technology is a low-E coated film product suspended inside an insulating glass unit. The result is a triple unit with two airspace's without the weight of triple insulating glass and with far superior insulating and shading performance. Heat Mirror was introduced over 15 years ago and marked the beginning of the technology that applied microscopic metallic coatings to window glass components. This technology suceeded in producing more energy efficient window glass and launched the popularity of Low E coatings in modern window glazings. Heat Mirror is a film-based technology where by a thin film coated to retard heat transfer is suspended between two pieces of glass and sealed into an internal glazing unit.

    When Popular Science Magazine chose the 100 Greatest Inventions as a milennium-year special, only 5 appliances made the list. Along with the air conditioner, stove, washer and refridgerator, they listed a product they called "one of the more dramatic advances": Heat Mirror Windows. It helps conserve fuel, save money and provide year round comfort in both commercial and residential buildings. Heat mirror film can turn your window into a sophisticated climate controlling appliance, able to block heat transfer through the glass, achieving energy performance from your windows nearly 10 times that of single pane glass and 5 times that of ordinary dual pane glazings...And it knows what season it is; retaining radiant heat in the winter and repelling it in the summer. Heat Mirror doens't stop there. It effectively blocks over 99% of UV radiation from the sun which prevents fading of furnishings, carpet and drapes, and also reduces sound transmission for a quieter home. 

Suburban Windows & Siding is an exclusive Heat Mirror dealer, for more information please contact us! 

Features & Benefits of Insulating Glass for Replacement Windows

                              The Value in our Replacement Windows

"Our line starts with a state-of-the-art design in window systems, among the most advanced in the industry. We offer styles and options to fit any architectural requirements- both contemporary and classic. And we build to a quality level achieved from years of experience and back it with our Lifetime Warranty."

 1) Cooler In The Summer:
The total solar energy transmitted through Triple X Heat Shield glass is almost 63% less than that transmitted by standard clear insulating glass.
     a) Lower Solar Heat Gain Coefficient numbers mean less summer heat.
     b) Keeps interiors cooler.
     c) Helps reduce cooling energy cost.

 2) Transmits Visible Light
The Triple X Heat Shield glass transmits about 80% as much desirable visible light as standard insulating glass.
     a) Provides exterior appearance similar to clear glass.
     b) Provides glare control in bright, sunny climates.

 3) Reduces Ultraviolet Energy
Triple X Heat Shield glass reduces fabric-fading UV energy 90% more effectively than standard clear insulating glass.
     a) Helps protect interior furnishings, fabrics, and carpets from fading.

 4) Warmer in The Winter
The winter nightime R-Value (insulating value) of Triple X Heat Shield glass is as much as 88% better than standard clear insulating glass.
     a) Higher R-values mean higher performance
     b) Reduces furnace heat loss
     c) Helps reduce heating energy

 

 

The Importance of Energy-Efficient Windows

     Are your windows drafty? Are they poorly insulated, installed improperly or  have gaps and cracks? Or are your windows just outdated and inefficient? If you are experiencing any of these problems, you are not alone. To understand the importance of energy-efficient windows you have to look at the immediate benefits of replacement windows: saving money every month on energy bills, providing a comfortable living space all year long, and providing a greater value towards your home.

     According to the US Department of Energy, windows with a Low-E coating typically cost about 10-15% more than a regular window, but reduce your energy loss by as much as 30-50%. Low-E stands for "low-emissivity" which is a clear coating applied to the window pane which allows light to penetrate through, but prevents heat transfer. Energy efficient windows protect your home from cold drafts in the winter by retaining this radiant-heat, but repel radiant-heat in the summer, keeping your home a lot cooler.

     Did you know that Americans spend about $40 billion annually to air condition homes and buildings, which accounts for roughly 1/6 of all the electricity in our country! Protecting your home from too much solar gain with energy-efficient windows is also important in preventing fading of your carpets or rugs, draperies, and furniture. Click here to learn more about Suburban's exclusive Heat Mirror window (see below), the most advanced energy-efficient replacement window.

 

 

 

Heat Mirror Windows: 1/100 Greatest Inventions of the Millennium

       When Popular Science Magazine hosted the 100 Greatest Inventions of the Millennium, only 5 household appliances made the list. The air conditioner, the stove, the washer, and the refrigerator,"One of the more dramatic advances" was the Heat Mirror Replacement Window. The Heat Mirror window is so important because it actually conserves energy in the summer by reflecting radiant heat energy from your home and in the winter it retains the radiant heat! The Heat Mirror window is a sophisticated climate-controlling appliance which achieves 10 times the energy performance of single-pane windows, and 5 times that of dual-pane windows. The Heat Mirror window doesn't stop there too, it actually blocks over 99% of UV radiation from the sun which can help prevent fading of your carpets, furniture, and curtains. The Heat Mirror window is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which means that it's eligible for a tax rebate up to $1500. To find out more information on the exclusive Heat Mirror technology here in Connecticut, please click here.