Lowering Energy Consumption: How Your Doors and Windows Contribute

PART 1: Understanding the Benefits of Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows

There’s truly no place like home, whether it’s after a vacation, a short getaway, or even just after a hard day’s work, you should always be happy  to be back in your space. That said, your home should provide lasting comfort, beauty and security, as you spend a good portion of your time there. Making sure your doors and windows are energy-efficient is one way to ensure that your home remains the comfortable haven you expect it to be.

What Does Energy Efficiency Mean for Homeowners

Many people confuse energy efficiency with energy conservation. While the concept is certainly similar, they differ in the way they help regulate energy use. Energy conservation is any practice that results in the use of less energy. Turning off the air conditioning units when leaving the house is a great way to conserve energy. Energy efficiency, on the other hand, involves using technology that requires less energy to perform a specific function. One example of this is using a compact fluorescent bulb instead of an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light.

That same principle applies to energy-efficient windows and doors. By using them instead of standard door and window types, you can enjoy many outstanding benefits such as the following:

• Enhanced Indoor Comfort – Energy-efficient units make use of advanced weatherstripping materials that seal up leaks and prevent drafts from entering your home. In addition, they are better insulated, which means  heat remains inside your home all year long, with minimal help from your utility systems.
• Lower Energy Bills – The biggest benefit of energy-efficient doors and windows is the money you can save. According to studies, they can help homeowners save as much as $465 a year on energy bills. Plus, energy-efficient units  help minimize your carbon footprint, which is an effective way to go green. .
• Minimized UV Ray Damage – Today’s manufacturers recognize the need to reduce, if not completely eliminate, the damaging effects of UV rays to our homes and furniture. To combat UV damage, they incorporate Low-E glass coatings in the manufacturing of new windows and doors. While the harmful rays are kept out, the good light and heat from the sun can still pour into your home.

PART 2: Features that Make Doors and Windows Energy-Efficient

Energy efficiency is one of the most sought-after features in homes today. As energy bills continue to rise, more and more homeowners strive to lower their energy bills without sacrificing comfort. That’s where energy-efficient doors and windows come into play. These units are equipped with innovative components that help improve comfort in homes, all while minimizing the use of heating and cooling systems. With them, you can enjoy a cozy indoor atmosphere without requiring your systems to work overtime. Here are some of the features that make these units truly energy-efficient:

• Low-E Glass Coating – This is applied to your window’s and door’s glass during the manufacturing process. Designed to protect homes from harmful rays, Low-E coatings help minimize the amount of infrared light and UV rays that pass through your units without compromising the amount of visible light transmitted. As a result, you can keep your carpeting and furniture safe from fading. Low-E glass  can also reflect heat back to its source during warm months and inside during cold months.
• Multiple Panes – Two or three layers of glass panes on your windows and doors can help in terms of insulation  protection for your home. While two panes are generally enough to keep the cold out in many areas, experts can help you better determine if the cost of three panes will make more sense in your specific region. The objective is to maximize the energy efficiency of your new units.
• Low-Conductivity Spacers – Used to reduce heat transfer and the risk of air leaks within your window and door structures. Stainless steel spacers are your best bet. They work wonderfully against condensation and frost formation.
• Gas Fills – A gas fill instead of air in between your glass panes can help keep condensation away. The gas can stop cool air from entering between the panes, preventing frost formation and also helping soundproof your structure.
• Insulated Frames – When paired with high-quality weather proofing, insulated frames can keep outdoor heat and air from infiltrating your home and thereby prevent fluctuations in your room temperatures.

PART 3: Energy-Efficient Door and Window Style Options

Your doors and windows serve as your home’s opening statement—and are a big factor in its overall curb appeal. They are among the first things people see when they visit and the last thing they notice on the way out.

our doors and windows say a lot about your personal style. More than that, however, they are also a distinctive element in the fight to keep your structure warm enough  in winter and cool enough in summer.

Many doors and windows have very low insulation value and are poor in thermal performance, which is a problem if you plan on improving the efficiency and sustainability of your structure. That said, it pays to know which styles can actually contribute to your home’s energy efficiency without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.

Energy-Efficient Door Styles

Most door styles available today are designed to bring energy-efficient features to your home. For the best results, however, it’s important to use the right materials and get the ideal sizes. Here’s how two basic door styles can help improve your home’s energy efficiency:

• Hinged – Hinged doors open outward through the use of a crank. They help control the entrance and exit of energy through their operable panels.
• Sliding – Sliding doors have panels that glide over each other, allowing homeowners to regulate the amount of air and heat that passes through their openings.

Energy-Efficient Window Styles

These are the most common window styles designed to help regulate your energy use:

• Double Hung – Double hung windows have top and bottom sashes that slide vertically for easy operation. You can open one sash or both sashes at a time, depending on your needs. These can be efficient choices, as they help control the entrance of light and air through both operable sashes.
• Casement – Casement windows feature a crank that swings the panels outward to open. When wind blows in toward your structure, these windows can seal themselves off tighter, making them an ideal option in climates where wind is an issue. For continuous high performance, though, their hinges and seals need to be maintained regularly.
• Picture – Unlike the other two mentioned above, picture windows are not operable, meaning they cannot allow outside air and heat from passing through them. Indoor energy will also have a hard time escaping through their panels. This makes them one of the most thermally efficient styles you can find.

Energy-efficient doors and windows can save you money both now and in the future. Additionally,  they can also help improve the overall feel of your indoor living spaces. With a large part of your energy budget going to heating and cooling systems, you don’t want that energy escaping through inefficient doors and windows. By switching to energy-efficient units today, you’ll be able to make an investment in the future and the environment.