Unseen Benefits Of Energy Efficient Windows
(ARA) – When it comes to protecting your home from the
damaging effects of the sun, what you can’t see – invisible
ultraviolet (UV) rays – can definitely impact you. Thankfully,
there’s an easy and practical solution that provides built-in
“sunblock” for the home.
Most homeowners know that
upgrading windows and doors can help them save money and
conserve energy. However, a lesser-known benefit of energy
efficient windows and doors is their proven resistance to
harmful UV rays. For example, windows and doors with Low-E glass
block most UV rays – the invisible part of the spectrum that
causes premature fading of furnishings and is linked to health
hazards like skin cancer. That’s because the coating on Low-E
glass both absorbs heat and reflects the sun’s light back into
the outdoors.
For the ultimate in UV protection and energy efficiency, windows
with laminated glass can block almost all harmful UV rays.
Laminated glass has an interlayer sandwiched between two window
panes. This gives windows the strength needed to stand up to
impacts caused by storms, and it also filters the sun’s light,
admitting the desirable, visible spectrum and blocking harmful,
invisible UV rays.
“Homeowners are becoming increasingly sensitive to interior
fading and wear and tear,” said Brian Hedlund, product marketing
manager for JELD-WEN windows. “It’s not only because they want
to keep the carpet and drapes from fading, but also because UV
exposure is perceived as an increasing health hazard.”
While UV resistance is a valuable collateral benefit of energy
efficient windows and doors, there are practical benefits too.
Savings for a typical home from replacing single-pane with
Energy Star qualified windows ranges from $125 to $340 a year,
depending on the region, according to the U.S. Department of
Energy.
For homeowners and builders, here are a
few basic tips for selecting energy efficient windows and doors.
1. Consider upgrading outdated windows and doors. Replace older
single-pane windows with dual-pane units, which insulate the
home from both hot and cold weather. Using both Low-E and
insulating glass will reduce home energy costs.
2. Make Low-E glass a must-have. That’s because Low-E glass on
windows, door transoms and sidelights controls solar heat gain –
a major contributor to air-conditioning costs. Low-E glass can
also protect against heat loss in the winter.
3. Don’t overlook the role of doors in contributing to energy
efficiency. Choose doors with energy efficient cores and sills,
and frames that provide a barrier to energy exchange.
4. Focus on efficiency, not bells and whistles. Window
manufacturers achieve efficiency in different ways, from Low-E
glass to argon gas-filled insulating glass. The bottom line is
to make sure the products are tested and rated for efficiency
using industry standards, no matter what technology is employed.
Look for the Energy Star label appropriate for your region.
For more information about achieving energy
efficiency at home, please visit
www.jeld-wen.com or call
(800) 877-9482, ext. PRWD (7793).
Courtesy of ARA Content
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