Replacement Windows and Energy Bills

Los Altos, CA replacement windows have many benefits. Since your home is your single biggest investment, it’s important that the essential elements of your house are upgraded in a timely manner, so that your investment is protected.

Older windows are likely to be a source of energy waste in your home. With time, window frames can deteriorate. Windows and frames are no longer aligned, due to settling of your home’s foundation. Perhaps some of the window glass has cracks or dings.

All of these conditions create drafty gaps in your windows that make it more difficult to keep the inside temperature of your home comfortable. This causes your HVAC system to work harder to maintain a constant temperature. As a result, your energy bills rise and the cost of maintaining your HVAC system gets more expensive.

When people are thinking about window replacements, they are often thinking about improving the curb appeal of their home and getting rid of windows that jam when someone is trying to open or close them. Many times, energy consumption isn’t even a factor in deciding to do windows replacement.

But it should be. With that in mind, you’ll want to look at replacement windows that will reduce the amount of energy your home uses and keep your home comfortable, no matter what the weather is like outside.

The first thing you’ll want to make sure your new replacement windows have is multiple panes. Double pane and triple pane windows use an inert gas like argon or krypton between the panes to create an insulation layer. Double pane windows create enough thermal efficiency to work well in most parts of the country, but areas that experience more extreme temperatures in summer or winter might find that triple pane windows work better for their climate.

You’ll also want your new replacement windows to have low emissivity (Low-E) coating. Low-E coating is a microscopically-thin coating that increases the window’s ability to reduce the amount of heat transferred. Low-E coating also lets in the maximum amount of natural light, while dramatically reducing the transmission of ultraviolet light (UV rays), which can fade furniture, drapes and curtains, and wood and carpet.

A third feature you’ll want in your new replacement windows to ensure energy efficiency is durable weather seals. They should make the window airtight when it’s closed and locked so that there are no gaps where air loss can occur.

Make sure that the replacement windows you choose have Energy Star ratings. This means they are approved for energy efficiency and you can count on seeing energy savings with them.

And, since you’re getting replacement windows, be sure to look at the different styles available. Double-hung windows are a common windows replacement choice for homes with single hung windows. Single hung windows allow only the bottom sash (half) of the window to move up and down, while double-hung windows allow both sashes to move up and down. This feature on double hung windows gives you more options for maximizing ventilation throughout your home, and it is a great safety feature for second-floor windows because when the top sash is opened, small children and pets are safe from accidentally falling out of the windows.

For more information on how Los Gatos, CA replacement windows can lower energy costs, you can talk with our expert team at California Custom Creations. You can call us at (408) 316-6293 to make an appointment for a free in-home consultation.