Two Advantages Of Replacing Old Windows With Energy-Efficient Products
When residential property owners decide to have old windows replaced, they usually want to improve energy efficiency, climate control, and the home's aesthetic qualities. If you are looking for new windows, you may want to consider wood windows, like Anderson windows. Replacing the windows on your house can have many benefits, especially if you are looking to increase the energy-efficiency of your home.
Reducing Utility Bill Costs
Replacing windows with the sole goal of reducing utility bill costs is usually a long-term goal. Many years pass before the cost is offset with energy savings. However, when the frames have deteriorated significantly and the interior environment is compromised by drafty windows, choosing energy-efficient products is important.
Some U.S. regions are known for long, hot summers and others for long, cold winters. Numerous areas that have long stretches of cold weather also have many summer days where the temperature rises above 85 degrees. Residential property owners rely on heating and central air conditioning equipment for a comfortable environment.
Central air can raise the electric bill substantially over several weeks or months of use. Nearly half of U.S. homes use natural gas furnaces or boilers for heat, with about 37 percent using electricity. Most of the rest keep their residences warm with propane or heating oil. A limited number rely on heat pumps or wood as their main source of heat. The right windows prevent drafts from the outside and climate-controlled air from escaping. That helps households reduce their utility bills.
Environmental Implications
There are environmental implications too. Most electricity in the United States is generated through two kinds of fossil fuels: natural gas and coal. Acquiring natural gas requires drilling, whereas coal is mined. Liquid propane for heat also is acquired through drilling. In addition, about 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are connected with residential energy use. Reducing energy usage means being more environmentally-friendly.
A Range of Styles
Energy-efficient windows are available in a broad range of styles. One choice that many appreciate is a frame with vinyl-clad wood on the home's exterior. That protects the material from rain and other weather elements, and from insects that chew on wood. Indoors, the wood frames have an authentic appearance that is appealing to a large number of homeowners. A popular feature is windows that can be tilted inward so cleaning the glass is easier. To learn more about available designs, residential property owners may contact a window installation professional.