What Makes a Window Energy-Efficient?

Your windows play a vital role in ensuring adequate lighting and ventilation in your home. They help keep your family and interior cozy all year round, making them key elements of your home’s energy efficiency. This is why Renewal by Andersen® of Central PA emphasizes the importance of choosing the right replacement windows for your home. To help you, let us discuss the factors that make a window energy-efficient and share some styles that can perfectly do the job.

The Window’s Glass

Many homeowners would love to have picture windows installed in their bedroom or living room. That said, many hesitate to do so, fearing the massive glass area would allow maximum ultraviolet (UV) radiation entry. Since UV rays first pass through your windows, they serve as your home’s primary barrier against harsh UV light intrusion.

Fortunately, we offer two exclusive glass styles for your windows, which provide energy saving features comparable to those of your regular dual-pane glass. Our High-Performance™ Low-E4® option is 45 percent more energy-efficient during the warm months and 56 percent more energy-efficient during cold seasons. Our High-Performance™ Low-E4® SmartSun™ glass, on the other hand, offers premium energy efficiency benefits. It helps you save energy costs up to 45 percent during winter and as high as 70 percent during summer.

Window Material

While the window’s glass is the primary element that makes a window energy-efficient, the sash’s material also plays an important role. The strong sun and other powerful elements may take a toll on your window frames eventually. When this happens, your window’s energy efficiency and operating performance can be adversely affected.

All our windows, such as our sliding windows, are made with Renewal by Andersen’s signature Fibrex® material. It’s a combination of the best features of wood and vinyl, making it a stable, durable, and low-maintenance option. It also has inherent insulation properties, preventing unnecessary heat transfer. We suggest using double-hung windows as well. Their separate sashes allow warm air to go out from the top while cool air enters through the bottom.

A window is only as good as its installation. This is why it’s best to turn to professional window installers if you want to make the most out of your window’s energy efficiency features. Call us today at (717) 591-4900, or complete our form to request a FREE in-home consultation. We serve Lancaster and nearby PA areas.