We’ve gotten a lot of calls for insulation lately. It seems like everyone in Oakland County Michigan is looking to save on their energy bills and keep their home warm this winter. Aside from insulating your home, you can save money and energy with the right windows.
Window R-Values
As mentioned before, R-value measures how well a construction material insulates. The higher the R-value, the better the material is. Conventional fiberglass battens usually have an R-value of 10.9. An average glass window has an R-value of one, which means that a lot of energy can pass through easily. It’s been estimated that windows in the United State consume a third of a buildings energy or about 4.1 quadrillion BTU of energy. Most buildings that are LEED-certified use insulated glass, or windows with two or three panes in the frame. Air gets trapped in the spaces between panes, increasing their efficiency and usually providing an R-value rating of two or three. Even more energy-efficient windows have argon or krypton gas between the panes.
Double Glazed
One of the best ways to get the most out of your windows is to get double-glazed windows. This windows will keep the most heat in. A lot of older homes have thin windows, so you may need to update yours. Installing new windows can be expensive, but when you look at how much they can save on your energy bills, they’re definitely worth it. If insulation has only saved your home a little this winter, you may want to look into getting new windows. We’ll be here if you decide to take the plunge.
