Winter or Summer: there is no wrong time to replace your windows

Energy savings is something that has been on everyone’s mind as of late, especially considering the brutally cold Winters we’ve had to endure the previous few years. People are constantly telling us how they are so tired of handing over so much money to gas and oil companies over the course of these sub-freezing New England Winters. What many don’t realize, however, is that Winter is not the only problematic season in regards to energy loss.  The hot Summer months also create energy increases as your air conditioner will struggle to keep up with the competing heat that is constantly trying to penetrate your home.  While there are a few different routes homeowners can take in alleviating these costs, the most efficient road involves replacing older windows with replacement windows.

Keeping your money inside your house

You may ask yourself, “Why should I replace my windows?”  The answer begins with a very simple science lesson.  Your goal as a homeowner who is looking to conserve energy centers on the notion of controlling the differences in temperature between the inside of your home and the outside elements.  For example, you want to think of it as simply keeping what is inside your house on the inside, whether it’s the heat in the Winter or the cool temperatures in the Summer.  Energy bills increase when your heater or air conditioner has to work harder to compete with what Mother Nature is doing outside your home.  When fighting this battle, your best weapon is a quality replacement window.  A top notch replacement window will put a stop to the constantly fluctuating temperature inside your house, which will allow your heater and air conditioner the chance to work in a much more efficient manner, as opposed to frantically attempting to catch-up with the heat and cold leaking into your house through drafty second-rate windows.

Windows Are Top Energy Factors 

Windows are the biggest weak points in your home’s thermal envelope, responsible for 25% to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. Replacement windows, if installed properly, will create a much better situation for your home’s heat retention. You will want to investigate your options thoroughly, however, before settling on a replacement window, as they are not all created equal. For example, a window’s U Factor will greatly determine just how much energy will be salvaged during the winter months.  The U Factor refers to how much energy is lost through the window; therefore, you’re looking for the lowest number possible. Many quality replacement windows flirt with a .3 U Factor. Our windows, on the other hand, the Protec window system, boasts a U Factor of half of that number.

The Reason is in the Resin

The composite construction of the Protec window also lends itself to its exemplary energy efficiency.  Many windows on the market are devised of materials such as vinyl, wood, and aluminum—all of which in one way or another will either conduct heat or allow it to escape into the outside world. RIHI’s Protec windows are made from a composite material featuring specialty polymer and acrylic resins. This composite construction creates last longing durability and thermal performance values that lesser replacement windows just cannot hold a candle to. Seriously, hold a candle to these other windows and watch as the wind blowing through them extinguishes it!

How vs. How Much – Window Energy Efficiency

“How” replacement windows can cut your energy costs is not as important to most people as “How much” money replacement windows can save.  Anyone who has replaced his or windows with energy efficient double hung windows will tell you the savings can add up very quickly, regardless of when you actually convert to replacement windows.  Consider, for example, a home formerly saddled with single pane windows once it has been upgraded with replacement windows.  While the results may vary depending upon the average temperature and how many windows are actually replaced, a homeowner may save anywhere upwards to $500 per year on energy bills.  We haven’t come across a homeowner yet who had a problem with allocating $500 to something much more interesting than energy bills.

Other Ways to Improve Home Energy Efficiency

Siding isn’t just another pretty face

Vinyl siding is a great place to start this conversation simply because most people do not associate siding with energy savings. Homeowners shopping for vinyl siding usually have just the appearance of their house on their minds. While sending your home into the stratosphere of beauty, properly installed siding will also tighten up your home’s energy conservation.  For example, our Protec vinyl siding features the SolidCore insulated backing.  The SolidCore technology keeps your home cozy in the winter and cool during the summer. Protec siding also integrates a sophisticated SmartTrack moisture management system, which enables your house to breathe properly—regardless of how harsh the weather may turn.