Homeowners in the Indianapolis area know the struggle: You want to keep your home cool and comfortable, but you also don’t want ridiculously high energy bills. If you fight this battle every year, you’ve probably considered how efficient your HVAC system is and whether you have enough insulation. But have you considered how your window glass affects your energy bills?
Windows are wonderful for natural light. Unfortunately, the same properties that let in light also let in heat. Without taking steps to counteract the heat transfer from your windows, you can end up spending a lot more money than is necessary to cool your home.
Making Existing Window Glass Energy-Efficient
If your current windows are in good shape, it may not make sense to replace them yet. If this is your situation, your best option is to look into low-emissivity coatings. Emissivity is a measure of how much heat radiates through an object. Low-e coatings are made of metallic oxide or metal. They go on so thin they’re nearly invisible, but they stop a significant amount of heat transfer. Many new windows come with low-e coatings, but you can also apply coatings to existing windows.
What to Look for When Buying New Window Glass
If you’re ready to buy new windows, it’s helpful to know a few terms before you start shopping. You’re probably already familiar with the federal Energy Star program that certifies different products based on energy efficiency. Windows fall under that program, so you can keep an eye out for Energy Star labels on any windows you’re considering.
Windows are rated for efficiency based on a few different factors. One is Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, usually written as SHGC. This tells you how well a window blocks the sun’s heat. U-Factor is a measure of how well a window insulates you from heat transfer. AL, or air leakage, measures how well a window blocks air around the joints. When comparing windows, look for lower numbers in all of these categories to find the most efficient choice.
Would you like to know more about how the right window glass can improve the energy efficiency in your Indianapolis-area home? Contact Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing today.
