Energy-efficient windows are a great addition to any home. However, some myths misinform consumers about some of their features and benefits. With debates over global warming becoming increasingly prevalent in recent years, phrases like eco-friendly, energy-saving, green energy, and energy-efficient seemingly pervade everything we interact with from the news to social media.
While we wholeheartedly welcome this trend, the importance of energy-saving goes well beyond just reducing your carbon footprint and complying with local legislation. Being energy efficient will ultimately benefit you, the homeowner, by helping you save money on your monthly bills while making your home more comfortable during cold winters and scorching summers. Who doesn’t want comfort while saving money?
You might then ask how someone can get in on this sweet deal? You might even worry that such a fantastic thing would require a massive amount of back-breaking effort, forcing you to make drastic changes to your life. However, you will be pleased to know that making your home energy efficient is far easier than what you might imagine. One way to achieve this is by replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows. Just make the call, sit back, and reap the benefits.
Unfortunately, much like any other popular trend around the world, energy-efficient windows have attracted several untrue myths that put off countless buyers. This is where we step in. We genuinely believe that energy-efficient windows are a blessing for the environment and your home, so it’s unacceptable that they have been subject to numerous untrue myths. In an attempt to make things as clear as possible, we will tear down four of the most common myths.
The first myth comes from an honest yet mistaken belief that because it’s a new home, it would already be equipped with energy-efficient windows and doors. As older homes are generally less energy efficient due to their aging insulation and the like, you might assume newer homes would come fitted with energy-efficient installments such as windows and doors. Indeed, with how newly built buildings are increasingly portrayed as becoming more and more energy-efficient, you could be forgiven for believing this. The fact of the matter is simple: they aren’t.
The reality is a lot colder. While developers would love us to think that just because a building is new, it is energy efficient, the fact of the matter is that the age of a building is totally unrelated to their energy efficiency. All that glitter is not gold, after all. Before you buy into the looks, make sure you do your homework and double-check with the developer before making any big purchase.
While replacing your regular windows with energy-efficient windows in San Diego can set you back around a couple of hundreds of dollars, the myth that they aren’t worth it is possibly the most untrue myth out there. Not only are some of the benefits of installing energy-efficient windows instantaneous; like the added comfort you gain, but you should also consider this an investment that will bring you various returns in the long run.
By replacing old windows that effectively prevent a loss of air through weak sealing, energy-efficient windows first and foremost significantly reduce the amount of money from being spent on your energy bills. Surveys show that you might even be able to save up to 15% on your annual energy bills if you replace your regular windows with energy-efficient versions. Furthermore, seeing as how this adds up over time, it stands to be a worthwhile financial investment in the long run.
Replacing windows can also serve an aesthetic purpose. By replacing your old, creaky, and cracked windows with newer ones, your house will appear revitalized, which will significantly boost your home’s overall curb appeal. On this note, various studies demonstrate that by having a better looking and more energy-efficient home, replacement windows can generate up to a 90% return on investment later down the line should you choose to sell your house.
As one famous playwright put it, “What’s in a name?” Many people sincerely believe that because energy-efficient windows all share the same term, they must all be the same, right? Absolutely not! There are many ways in which these windows differ from each other, but nothing differentiates them as much as the material used.
There is a staggering variety of materials on the market, each bringing with it a unique set of features, advantages, and disadvantages. While variety’ is often perceived as the spice of life when it comes to these sorts of things, you might feel overwhelmed seeing the vast range of options to pick from. The choice you make regarding the material of your windows will directly affect multiple factors, from energy efficiency itself to overall durability and price, so this isn’t something you should take lightly.
Don’t panic, though. We have listed some of the most popular options, along with crucial points to keep in mind when choosing the right material. Now, going into more detail, the most common materials in the market when it comes to window frames are vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum.
First off, vinyl is an excellent material that has gained increased traction in recent years due to technological developments in this area. Vinyl is an extremely energy efficient material; it’s durable, sustainable, eco-friendly, and does not require too much maintenance. However, vinyl doesn’t have its cons. For some, it isn’t as flexible when it comes to design, as it isn’t easy to repaint it if you ever want to. Vinyl also comes with a narrower choice of colors and doesn’t quite have the stately aesthetic that classic wood possesses, which may be a problem if your home is more traditional. Another great option is fiberglass.
Available in various styles and colors, fiberglass features fantastic durability and tremendous resistance against the elements.
If you’re looking for modern windows that will last for decades, fiberglass is the way to go. It’s also entirely recyclable since it’s made of glass, so you can rest assure that your carbon footprint is minimal. However, as we said, fiberglass is relatively new material on the market, so not every manufacturer or installer would offer it.
When it comes to portraying gorgeous panoramic views, aluminum is the name of the game. But make no mistake, it doesn’t just excel in offering pretty views. Aluminum also features exceptional durability and resistance against the elements, it’s incredibly customizable, and it’s a fantastic insulator. However, some people would probably say aluminum is not as aesthetically pleasing as other materials like wood and fiberglass.
But wait! We’re not done! The material used for your window frames only portrays half the picture. The other half depends entirely on the brand of the windows you choose. There are as many different brands out there as there are stars in the sky. Because of this, we highly recommend that you go with an established, all-encompassing brand to make sure you’re not making any compromises. For instance, if you didn’t know much about cars but had to purchase one, of course, you’d pick a brand that’s well-known for safety and performance. Likewise, your windows are not to be skimped on, so choose carefully. On this note, Milgard windows San Diego is one of the leading brands in the market, being ranked first in the entire country, and is a brand we wholeheartedly endorse. Not only does Milgard have products to fulfill all your needs, but their energy efficiency ratings often exceed national regulations.
You may think that your windows only exist to keep things out – like bugs, dust, and heat, but you should know that a good energy-efficient window will go several steps further. Good energy-efficient windows can keep the heat (and cold) inside your home depending on where you live and the time of the year, much to the benefit of your wallet. This is achieved by ensuring that air is adequately sealed inside your home. However, do keep in mind that the amount of money saved on heating bills will depend on your local climate.
Energy-efficient windows also do more than just keep the heat and cold outside or inside. Besides affecting your home’s internal temperature, they can even minimize external noise. If you live in a busy neighborhood or a high-rise in some dense, sprawling city, energy-efficient windows can stand to minimize noisy distractions and turn your home into a true oasis of peace and quiet. Additionally, energy-efficient windows can even reduce internal condensation build-up and facilitate better lighting by allowing more natural light to enter your San Diego home. With all these fantastic benefits combined, they are sure to increase the overall comfort and value of your home without harming the environment. Why wouldn’t anyone want such a thing?
Now that we’ve established the importance of energy-efficient windows and dispelled some untrue myths, it’s important to emphasize that proper window installation is just as important as the energy efficiency of your windows. For all your window installation and window replacement needs, consider US Window & Door. We’re a reliable, insured, independent family business and one of the oldest exclusive window and door replacement companies in Southern California. With over 30 years of experience, we’ve honed our skills to absolute perfection. We only work with the best materials and the highest quality models on the market while adhering to all industry standards, as that’s the only way to be 100% sure our products will last for decades to come. Our team is fully licensed, so we guarantee a smooth purchase and an installation process that has been refined and improved over three decades. Finally, we’re an AMMA-certified installation company that doesn’t rely on the work of subcontractors to get the job done
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