The Science Aspect of Energy Efficient Replacement Windows

Replacement windows in San Jose, CA that are energy efficient are an excellent choice for any home or commercial building. Because of the technology developed from the science behind solar heating and its application to windows, energy efficient replacement windows will make your spaces more consistently comfortable, which will decrease the amount of power you consume and will result in significant cost savings.

Windows in homes originated with the need for light and ventilation. However, the earliest windows were no more than a hole cut into the structure. As time went by, different civilizations found ways to maximize the use of windows so that they could provide light, ventilation, and privacy.

Today’s replacement windows have come a long way from those earliest cutouts in homes. With energy efficient replacement windows, not only will your home be more comfortable and your energy consumption lower, but you will also reduce your home’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Windows account for the largest amount of energy loss in a home. This can be as high as 40%. With energy efficient replacement windows, you can virtually eliminate almost half of the energy that is lost from your home. One of the other benefits of energy efficient windows is that they are built in layers so they will reduce the amount of outside noise coming into your home. A third benefit of having energy efficient windows installed is that they eliminate the need to use storm windows.

A good example of an energy-efficient window is a double pane window. The science behind it double pane window is what is applied to make it an excellent choice for your home.

A double pane window is constructed with two glass panes, a spacer, and a gas fill. The window is snuggly put into a sturdy insulated frame, which completely seals the window opening.

With double pane windows, energy efficient replacement window frames are insulated with materials that eliminate air leakage and prevent heat conduction. Part of the heat that is transferred into the rest of the house comes through uninsulated window frames (the other part comes through single pane windows).

The two panes of glass in double pane replacement windows offer a stronger barrier to cold air seeping in during the winter and hot air rushing in during the summer. Physicists have developed formulas, derived from centuries of research, which can calculate the rate and amount of heat transfer that occurs when the sun penetrates glass. Window manufacturers have been able to apply this science and lower the amount of heat transfer using two glass panes that are separated by a spacer, leaving a layer between the panes that then can be filled with an inert gas. This gas is usually argon or krypton.

The spacer in an energy-efficient double pane replacement window also creates a seal on the window, which increases its insulation effect.

The inert gases that are used to fill the layer between the two glass panes are non-toxic. Window manufacturers began using these when they started manufacturing double pane and triple pane windows during the last couple of decades of the 20th century. Both of these gases also enhance the insulation effect of the double pane window.

To learn more about energy efficient replacement windows in San Jose, CA, you can speak with our knowledgeable staff at California Custom Creations. You can contact us at (408) 316-6293 to make an appointment for a free in-home consultation.