According to the Energy Information Administration, 42% of an average household’s energy consumption is spent on heating. Taking steps to improve your home’s energy efficiency has never been as urgent. Replacement window company Renewal by Andersen® of Knoxville shares expert tips on how to improve your home’s energy efficiency for winter.
A certified energy auditor can perform a thorough inspection of your home and find spots that increase your daily energy consumption. This includes the appliances that you use, the insulation in your walls and attic and the fenestrations (doors, windows, and skylights) that may be causing heat leaks. You will receive a detailed report and recommendations on which projects to prioritize. Make sure your energy auditor is certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI).
When buying new appliances and replacement windows, make sure the product bears the ENERGY STAR seal. ENERGY STAR is a program initiated by the Environmental Protection Agency that aims to provide simple and unbiased information about a product’s energy efficiency. Products that bear the ENERGY STAR seal is your assurance that what you’re buying will improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Your local HVAC technician can check how efficient your heating system is and what upgrade options are available. If you have an oil- or gas-fired furnace, pay attention to the AFUE or the annual fuel utilization efficiency. It indicates how efficient your furnace is at converting fuel to heat. For example, a furnace with a 90% AFUE means for every dollar you spend on fuel, 10 cents is lost on waste byproduct. Since electric furnaces do not burn fuel, they are typically rated at 100% AFUE.
If your windows are fitted with single-panel glass, you may be losing a lot of heat during the winter season. When this happens, your heating system pumps out more heat to compensate, resulting in increased energy consumption. Replacement windows with double-pane glass solve this problem by eliminating contact between interior and exterior surfaces.
Renewal by Andersen replacement windows feature double-pane High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass packages. Combined with our exclusive Fibrex® material frames and high standard of craftsmanship, you can expect our replacement windows to dramatically improve your home’s energy efficiency.
To learn more about our services as a replacement window contractor, call Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville today at (866) 609-5033. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We serve Knoxville, TN, and surrounding areas.
