How Energy-Efficient Windows Can Benefit Your Home

Thinking of swapping out your old, drafty windows for new ones? Don’t settle for just any new glass panes and painted frames – there are plenty of reasons to specifically opt for energy-efficient windows.

Don’t believe us? Today, let’s break down some of the many benefits of energy-efficient windows you can see as soon as you purchase them for your Asheville home.

What are energy-efficient windows?

Without getting too technical, energy-efficient windows are designed to keep air inside or outside your house, depending on what's needed. Do you have AC-cooled air flooding your rooms in the heat of summer? Energy-efficient windows will keep that air from escaping to the outdoors. In the winter, the same energy-efficient windows will stop the cold from seeping into your house.

Some types of energy-efficient windows even prevent sunshine from warming up your home too much: a key advantage in the middle of summer when daylight hours stretch on for much longer than usual.

Key energy-efficient window attributes

Compared to standard windows, energy-efficient windows usually feature major technical improvements. These include:

• A lower “U-factor” – Put simply, the U-factor is how much non-solar heat transfers from outside a window to inside. Most top energy-efficient windows have very low U-factors.
• A lower SHGC or "solar heat gain coefficient" – Like U-factor, SHGC tells you just how well a window blocks heat, and the lower the SHGC, the more energy-efficient a given window is.
• Low air leakage – Naturally, energy-efficient windows don’t allow air to sneak by in either direction.
• High condensation resistance or "CR rating" – The best energy-efficient windows have very high CR ratings since it means they are resistant to condensation forming on their surfaces.

What about visible transmittance or “VT”? VT tells you how much light a given window lets through. Energy-efficient windows can go in either direction with this metric – go with a higher VT if you want more natural light, or choose the reverse if you want to minimize daytime heat gain.

You should always keep these key attributes in mind when choosing a new set of energy-efficient windows for your next home improvement project.

Why you should install energy-efficient windows

You know what to look for, but you still might not be convinced that energy-efficient windows are the best choice for your home and your wallet. Let us show you exactly why you should install energy-efficient windows ASAP.

Reduce heat loss/heat gain

For starters, energy-efficient windows can significantly reduce the heat loss or gain that your house experiences throughout the year. According to Energy.gov, about 25% to 30% of your home’s heating and cooling energy use is because of heat gain and loss through its windows.

Put another way, over a quarter of your home’s AC or heating energy is used up because of temperature fluctuations via the windows. Install energy-efficient windows, and suddenly that energy use will plummet.

That means a more comfortable house for you and tweaking your thermostat less during the winter and summer months in Asheville. Wouldn’t it be lovely to keep your home the same temperature all day long? Energy-efficient windows can help you accomplish that goal in no time.

Enjoy a lower energy bill

Of course, fewer heat fluctuations from your windows mean your AC unit or heater (or both) will use less power to keep your home at its optimal temperature. That, in turn, means you will expend less electricity overall and will see a much lower utility bill each month.

Who doesn’t love cost savings? Installing new energy-efficient windows can run you anywhere between a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars per window, but that one-time expense is nothing compared to the lifetime savings you can enjoy once they’re set up. If you're interested in long-term budget boosts, energy-efficient windows are the way to go.

Minimize outside noise

By keeping air sealed within or without your home, energy-efficient windows incidentally provide an extra benefit: minimizing the outside noise that might otherwise slip through. If your Asheville house is situated next to a busy street, or if the neighbors are fond of blasting loud music during backyard barbecues or at two in the morning, you might enjoy just how well energy-efficient windows can insulate your property.

In some cases, energy-efficient windows can seriously reduce the noise you hear from outside your house, including traffic noise, animals, and strong winds. This is true even for windows designed to open and close, like Wincore’s Double Hung Windows or MI Windows’ ventilating casement windows.

Reduce condensation and mold growth

Since you’re looking to replace your windows, the odds are your current ones aren’t in the best shape. If you’ve been hounded by condensation and mold around your current windowsills or frames, rest assured that energy-efficient windows won’t have the same issues.

That’s because these windows are sealed against wind and water in equal measure. Say goodbye to gross black mold growth on window frames and sills. Without that problem, you can use that space as decorative real estate (especially with bay or bow windows) or just have peace of mind that you and your family members aren’t breathing in toxic spores.

Get higher resale value for your home with energy-efficient windows

Even if you currently plan to live in your Asheville house for years to come, there might come a day when you want to sell it for a massive profit. The more money you make from that sale, the more money you can put toward your new home, wherever that may be.

Energy-efficient windows can significantly boost the resale value of your current property. A full set of energy-efficient replacement windows might allow you to charge several thousand dollars over the usual asking price (or even more, depending on how new they are, whether they have any special features, and so on).

With a savvy realtor on your side, you can highlight how much money you save every month on energy bills to prospective buyers. Use that information as a little extra leverage to make sure you get the best asking price possible before closing the deal.

Do your part for the planet

More broadly, energy-efficient windows let you play a small but important role in combating climate change. Installing energy-efficient windows so you use less power to cool or heat your home is a good way to give back to the planet without eliminating creature comforts.

So, what are the most energy-efficient windows? At Window World of Asheville, our professionals can not only help you find the right energy-efficient windows but will also tackle installation from start to finish. Whether you choose energy-efficient windows for the planet, for resale value, or for another personal benefit, you’ll need experts to help. Contact us today to learn more.