New Windows for the
Cold Winter Months
home remodeling articles and tips
topic: window technology
by Jami J. Rodgers
As the weather grows colder, energy efficient insulated windows can increase the comfort of your home as you stay warm inside.
Even simple upgrades can improve your home's energy efficiency -- applying weatherstripping to windows helps seal air leaks, increasing your heater's efficiency and saving you up to 15% on your utility bill.
The following types of insulation can be added to existing windows:
- Reinforced foam, felt, or tape weatherstripping
- Butyl rubber or water-based foam sealant caulk
- Sprayed-foam or loose-fill fiberglass insulation
Upgrade to an Energy Efficient New Look
If your home's windows are over 20 years old, you could be losing a lot on every energy bill. Window replacement is a popular home improvement project, and can do a lot to increase the safety and energy efficiency of your home. New window technology in glazing, double- and triple-paned windows, and other improvements can keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Window technology has come a long way in 20 years. Here are a few recent developments in energy efficiency:
- In colder climates, windows with passive solar glazing can be installed on south-facing windows to collect and distribute the maximum amount of heat.
- Look for windows with a low U-factor. The National Fenestration Rating Council uses U-factor to determine a window's energy efficiency.
- Buy replacement windows with a high solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). A window with a high SHGC rating will be more effective at collecting solar heat during the winter.
Check out our window gallery to find the latest in insulated window technology.
Home Improvement:
view our gallery of new windows from leading manufacturers
find window installation services
Sources
US Department of Energy
EERE Consumer's Guide
Library Resources
