Whether you’re building a new home or considering upgrading your home, consider the replacement costs and benefits of energy-efficient windows. While windows are among the most attractive features of a home, they are responsible for a significant amount of energy waste. According to energy.gov, heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25 to 30 percent of residential heating and cooling energy use. Of course, this depends on a number of variables, but the point remains, energy-efficient windows save you money in the long run. Let’s take a look at seven of the biggest benefits of installing or upgrading to energy-efficient windows.
1. Lower Costs
It comes as no surprise that one of the main benefits of energy-efficient windows is energy savings. As mentioned above, installing energy-efficient windows can save you money year over year. While this may not seem like a lot, it adds up over the lifespan of your windows, offsetting the initial out-of-pocket costs considerably.
2. Tax Credits and Rebates
It pays to check out the municipal, state, and federal tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient upgrades for your home. You can explore some of the tax credits, rebates, and incentives here to see you if you qualify. At the end of the day, windows are expensive, but with the offsets you receive between government incentives and energy savings, not to mention the increase in resale value, it’s well worth the investment.
3. Better Insulation
Do you have certain spots in your home that are hot or cold no matter how much you adjust the thermostat? This is the result of poor insulation and air infiltration, to which windows are a huge contributing factor. You may be surprised to learn just how effective energy-efficient windows are at keeping the outdoor elements at bay and eliminating those hot and cold spots in your home. The result is a home that stays pleasant, even with little to no air conditioning.
4. Better for the Environment
As the name implies, energy-efficient windows keep your home at a comfortable temperature without your air conditioner or heater having to work as hard, extending the lifespan of your HVAC system. Beyond saving you money, the lower energy usage means that your home requires less power that is generated by fossil fuel sources like natural gas and coal. This decreases your home’s carbon footprint and makes it more environmentally friendly.
5. Reduced Maintenance
Because energy-efficient windows minimize energy transfer, the prevalence of condensation buildup on windows is reduced considerably. This leads to a reduced risk of mold, which can result in subpar air conditions in your home and can cause allergies, congestion, coughing, eye irritation, and more. This is especially true for those who suffer from asthma and other pulmonary diseases. In addition to being beneficial to air quality, the UV-resistant coatings on energy-efficient windows practically eliminate visible water spots and dirt buildup, so you spend less time cleaning and maintaining the appearance of your windows.
6. Noise Reduction
Another benefit of highly insulated, energy-efficient windows is their soundproofing ability. Because they are designed to seal out exterior conditions, noise from nearby roads, sirens, and neighbors’ late-night gatherings is also considerably reduced. That means never having to struggle to hear the TV or relax when the neighbor pulls out the leaf blower. This is especially desirable in urban communities where homes are often built close to one another.
7. Protection from UV Rays
Many people don’t think about it until it’s too late, but harmful UV rays can infiltrate your home through your windows. Over time, these rays can damage rugs, carpet, wood, fabrics, and furniture. Energy-efficient windows are made with a special coating that blocks out up to 98 percent of these possession-damaging UV rays, which means you won’t have to worry about the fading or deterioration of your home’s furnishings, flooring, accessories, or wearing sunblock while looking out your windows.
Choosing the right windows for your home isn’t easy, especially when you didn’t know they needed replacing. It’s easy to jump for the lowest-priced, “okayest” windows you can find, but when you consider all the benefits that energy-efficient windows have to offer, it’s easy to see that they are well worth the investment. If you’re considering energy-efficient windows for your home, give us a call at 817-410-7272. We’ll talk you through all your options and help you find the best windows for your home and your budget.