There are over a dozen ways to make your Tennessee home more energy-efficient. You can consider installing solar panels on your roof to save money on energy costs or upgrade to a newer HVAC system that offers better performance and efficiency. You can even choose to replace your patio doors and other parts of your home’s exterior if they’re at the end of their life span. If you’re wondering how you can update your exterior for better energy efficiency, a complete window replacement is your best choice.
Window replacement can be done almost any time of the year. If you have old or damaged windows, you shouldn’t wait until spring or summer to replace them. This is because they leave your home more exposed to outdoor elements through air drafts and leaks. This can affect indoor air quality and comfort which forces your furnace or heat pump to work harder to maintain temperatures. This consequently leads to more energy consumption and you end up with high monthly utility bills for the season. This is why old windows should be replaced as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary costs.
The quality of the windows and patio doors you choose will determine how effectively they can increase your home’s energy efficiency. Don’t consider getting window products as they often don’t offer good enough benefits and features for your home. They’re also made with low-quality materials, which means they might not hold up against wear and tear over time. Cheap windows are also unreliable against natural weather elements and tend to be more susceptible to weather damage.
Ideally, you should invest in windows that offer adequate performance and comfort for your home. This means you’ll have to read their energy-efficiency ratings to decide the best ones for your home. Their ratings are typically found on the label of ENERGY STAR® windows and were established by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). That is an independent, nonprofit organization that rates windows, doors and skylights. The NFRC provides fair, accurate and reliable energy-performance ratings using a nationally accepted rating system.
The following ratings must be considered when choosing a good window based on its energy efficiency:
R-Value – This measures the window’s resistance to heat flow. Higher numbers mean the glass is more effective at insulating your home. However, it doesn’t fully measure the overall window unit, unlike the U-value. This is why it isn’t accepted by the NFRC or ENERGY STAR.
U-Value – This rating is accepted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR program. It measures the rate of heat flowing through a window, with lower values meaning better energy efficiency.
SHGC – Short for solar heat gain coefficient, this rating measures how well windows, sliding doors or other qualified products block heat caused by sunlight. Lower coefficient values mean the unit gets less solar heat transmission.
Whether you’re planning to replace your windows or patio doors, they must be designed and made with quality materials to increase energy efficiency in your home. As such, you’ll find our ENERGY STAR®-rated products a cut above the rest as they’re made with both beauty and performance in mind. Here are some of the biggest benefits you’ll get with our windows:
Better Indoor Humidity
With fall and winter comes cooler weather and lower temperatures. And because of the dropping temperatures, the air becomes drier indoors. This can impact overall air quality and lead to skin irritation, static shock, dry throat and other issues that affect your health. On the other hand, energy-efficient windows offer better thermal performance so the indoor heat and humidity are naturally retained for longer. They also act as a barrier keeping out the cold outdoor elements that may otherwise affect indoor air quality and comfort.
If you want to put your home up for sale, you’ll need to consider how you can increase its resale value as much as possible. Potential homebuyers will always love a well-designed kitchen or bathroom renovation while complete roofing or siding replacements can easily enhance your home’s exteriors. Other major exterior renovations such as upgrading to energy-efficient windows and sliding doors can also provide a good return on investment.
Energy-efficient windows also attract potential buyers looking to settle in a greener home. While many are into the appeal of newly installed windows on a home’s facade, they’re often more interested in the energy-efficient features the windows offer that increase comfort, convenience and sustainability. Of course, future buyers also look for longevity, which you’ll find in our quality windows and doors.
The replacement doors and windows we install use frames made from our proprietary Fibrex® material. This is made from reclaimed wood and thermoplastic. This makes them twice as strong as vinyl and they won’t easily peel, flake, blister or corrode because they can withstand rot, decay and fungal growth. They’re also 40% wood by weight, which makes them recyclable and reusable. We even refrain from using any wood treatments during the manufacturing process to reduce VOC emissions.
Old and damaged windows make a big impact on your home’s energy efficiency. They’re hardly effective in retaining indoor heat because of the drafts and leaks. You might even have a few foggy windows, which indicates the seals have been broken and the gas has already leaked. But with new windows, you won’t have to worry about excess energy consumption and poor indoor comfort. They help prevent heat from escaping your home during the winter season thanks to the layer of inert gas sealed between the panes.
With our quality replacement doors and windows, you’ll see a big difference in your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. Call Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville today at (510) 214-4134 for more information.
