Having energy-efficient windows installed in your Broken Arrow home can make a big difference in your heating and cooling bills. These come in a variety of designs and include different features that affect efficiency.
Types of Energy-Efficient Window Options
Energy-efficient window options include the following types:
Double-hung — These are a common type of window found in most homes. The bottom part of the window slides up when opened. A double-hung window offers decent efficiency, although air sometimes flows in between the window sliders.
Casement — These are ones that open out when you turn a crank. They offer high efficiency, as long as you make sure the seals and hinges on them are well maintained.
Picture — This is a large type of window that typically doesn’t open. Certain features can improve the efficiency of a picture window.
Energy-Efficient Window Features
The following features affect a window’s efficiency:
Low-E — Also known as low emissivity, this indicates how much heat a window can reflect. The more heat that is reflected, the more efficiency a window with this coating has.
Gas fills — Some windows have krypton or argon between glazing, which helps boost insulation and reduces heat transfer.
Double pane — A window with double panes offers better insulation and more efficiency than single-pane ones.
Frame material — A window’s material can affect its efficiency. Vinyl offers good insulation, while aluminum provides a lower amount of efficiency. Wood and fiberglass also offer decent efficiency, although wood contracts or expands with moisture and fiberglass can be costly.
Keep in mind that installation is also an important factor for improving window efficiency in your home. It’s important to make sure you hire professionals who do new window installations properly, or you’ll have heated air leaking out in winter and hot air from outside getting in during summer. Proper installation helps ensure that you have as much window efficiency as possible in your Broken Arrow home.
If you need to replace old windows with energy-efficient ones, contact Air Assurance. We offer window replacement services, as well as HVAC and plumbing services, in the Broken Arrow area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “SpeedKingz/Shutterstock”
