Suburban Blog

How Can Energy-Efficient Windows Work for You?

     To understand how a window can help you save energy in your home, you need to understand  how an energy-efficient window actually works. The concept is really quite simple: an energy efficient window slows down the rate of heat loss between the inside and outside of your home. Because energy moves from warm to cold areas, your window becomes a magnet. In the winter, the warm air inside the house tries to move outside to the colder air; in the summer, the warmer air outside tries to move inside. The air goes to the windows because they are less efficient than most other parts of the house, including the walls, floors, and roof. The air will successfully get out through the window cracks, openings in the frame, or right through older single-pane or poorly insulated double-pane windows. Even in well-sealed windows there is still some energy (heat) transfer through the glass since the glass conducts heat via conduction.
     Energy-efficient windows include modern technologies to reduce air flow and heat loss. These technologies include glazing, low-E coatings, low-U values, and gases such as krypton or argon between panes. These efficient windows protect you from the chill in the winter and keep you cool in the summer. In addition, they will also reduce that dreaded condensation inside your windows. How well an energy-saving window performs depends on the construction of the window frame and the spacer material that separates the individual frames of glass inside the pane and the glass itself.  

      *For more information about Suburban's Energy-Efficient Replacement Windows, please click here.

The Importance of Window Frames and Sashes

     The energy efficiency of your window doesn't only depend on the glass you have installed, even if it is a triple-pane or gas-filled energy efficient window. In case you aren't familiar with the structure of your window, the sash is what holds the glass and the frame is what holds the sash in place. The frames and sashes on all your windows are also exposed to harsh sunlight and climate changes and if they are made of wood or metal, air flow can increase over time leading to higher energy costs.
      Windows and their sashes can be made from aluminum, wood, a combination of wood and vinyl or aluminum, or solid vinyl. Wood is the oldest type of frame, has moderate insulating qualities, and needs the most maintenance of the three types of windows. It's usually found in older homes and needs to be maintained by painting to prevent damage from moisture and insect infestation.
      Aluminum windows are durable and the least expensive, but they need a "thermal break" to prevent the transfer of heat through the frame. Pre-finished aluminum clad wood windows are similar to wood windows, and have the recycling aspect of aluminum, but don't need as much maintenance as wood.
      The American Chemistry Council states that vinyl window frames require three times less energy to manufacture than aluminum frames, and using vinyl window frames will save the United States nearly 2 Trillion BTU's of energy/per year. BTU's are short for British Thermal Unit's, which are a basic measure of thermal heat energy. Vinyl windows are excellent in terms of energy efficiency and require little to no maintenance over time. They have an excellent combination of durability, cost, insulating value, strength and aesthetics. For more information,click here.

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!