Energy-Smart Summer: Window Replacement Season!
Our series on home remodeling projects that can boost your home’s energy efficiency is in full swing, and this week we’d like to talk about why replacing windows in the summer is a great idea.
Why Windows?
Believe it or not, old windows are among the major energy offenders in your home. A single-pane window or one with a broken seal simply has no chance against the heat of a Delaware summer. In fact, as the U.S. Department of Energy explains, “Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use.” That number is too large to ignore, to leave up to chance, or to procrastinate on for another year. Energy-efficient windows will do more than lower your energy bill by a mile; they’ll reduce the burden on your AC system and minimize your carbon footprint, all the while making your home a more comfortable place to be.
Why Summer?
Admit it, when you read the title of this post, you thought to yourself: really? Summer is the right season for a window replacement when it’s this hot and buggy out?! To your healthy skepticism, we offer an emphatic yes!
One of the most important benefits of summer window replacement is the ability to notice an immediate difference in your indoor environment. It’s human nature to feel more comfortable with a financial decision when you can see the impact of it right away, and we feel confident that you will.
Glenda Taylor, writing for BobVila.com, discusses this benefit in greater detail: “If your air conditioner has to run nonstop just to maintain a comfortably cool indoor temperature, you’ll notice an immediate difference in your utility bills as soon as you have new windows installed. Today’s energy-efficient replacement windows feature argon gas-filled panes that reduce heat transfer through the glass, so your AC unit won’t have to work overtime just to keep you cool. Windows with low-E coating further reduce solar transfer. You won’t feel the heat so much, even when you’re standing right next to a sunny window.”
Beyond the benefits of noticing a difference right away, there are practical upsides to choosing summer for your window replacement project. First, though window replacement is a project that can be done during most seasons, the days are longer and the weather is milder in the summer, making the work of window replacement easier and quicker.
What To Look For in Your Window Replacement Project
If window replacement feels like the right choice for you, be sure to select windows that will help to regulate the temperature throughout your home. Look for windows that list a low U-Factor, which measures the rate of heat transfer through the window. The lower the U-Factor, the better your windows will insulate your home. In addition to the U-Factor, look for windows that boast a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). This metric expresses the amount of heat, via UV radiation, a window lets in.
If you’d like to discuss your window replacement options in greater depth, we’d love to help. Contact us!