Living in the Midwest means dealing with the frigid winter weather, muddy and rainy springs, sunny and hot summer months, and, of course, the cool fall seasons. These weather elements can take a toll on your windows, especially as your home ages. Energy-efficient windows are a must-have for older homes in the Midwest, and we’re here to show you why!
Benefits Of Energy-Efficient Windows For Older Homes
You might be asking yourself, “Why should I invest in energy-efficient windows for my home?” There are a number of reasons why energy-efficient windows are the best option for your home. The biggest reason that people choose energy-efficient windows is to enhance their comfort. You shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable in your own home. When temperatures are overly hot or extremely cold, it can be uncomfortable. Energy-efficient windows help lock the heating or cooling in your home, so you don’t have to worry about how high or low your thermostat is set. The biggest incentive of energy-efficient windows is their ability to reduce heat loss in the winter and keep your home cooler during the summer months, meaning you and your family can stay comfortable.
Reduced energy bills are another great incentive when you purchase energy-efficient windows. No one likes getting an expensive energy bill in the mail. Energy-efficient windows help lock the heating or cooling in your home, so you don’t have to worry about messing with your thermostat to accommodate the heat escaping or coming in. This will cause a decrease in your energy bills.
UV protection is another, less commonly known reason to invest in energy-efficient windows. Older homes have windows that don’t always offer UV protection. The sunny rays that beam into your home can cause damage to your furniture and belongings over time. If you’ve ever noticed your rugs, curtains, or couch’s color fading over time, that can be a direct result of your windows not protecting them from UV rays. Energy-efficient windows block UV rays that can cause damage to your belongings over time. This protects your belongings, but it can also help keep your house cooler over time. Talk about a bonus!
Factors to Consider When Buying an Energy-Efficient Window
Climate Zones
Believe it or not, ENERGY STAR has a program to meet strict guidelines that are meant to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This program has split the United States into 4 climate zones: Northern, North Central, South Central, and Southern. Each window is tested to ensure that it is appropriate for each climate zone. The Midwest is in the Northern zone, so each ENERGY STAR window is sure to be able to withstand both the brutally frigid winter weather and the hot and sunny summer weather.
U-Factor
When you’re looking at buying an energy-efficient window, you also want to consider the U-Factor. This is a measurement of whether a window does a good job of insulating. The insulation is what can help keep your home cool.
Multiple Panes of Glass
The more panes of glass you have, the more insulation it provides. Having a double or triple pane glass window creates an extra layer of protection for the temperatures from outside affecting your home. Extra panes of glass are like using a warm blanket – the more layers means more comfort!
Solar Head Gain Coefficient
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (or SHGC) does what it sounds like. It takes a measure of how well a window prevents heat from entering your home. This is an extremely helpful measurement when it comes to the cold winters we experience.
Low E-Glass
Low-E Glass (low emissivity) is a coating that goes on your window. This special invisible barrier reflects heat off your window which keeps the heat inside in the winter and prevents the heat from the sun from coming in during the summer. Harmful UV rays will also be diminished, adding an extra layer of protection for your furniture and keeping your home comfortable all year.
Work With Us To Find The Best Energy-Efficient Window For Your Home!
Windows from older homes might not be as efficient at protecting you and your home as you might think. The older they are, the more likely it is that they need fixing or replacing. That’s when you need to invest in energy-efficient windows. Made to protect your belongings and your comfort, they are the best solution for any window troubles you might encounter. If you’re curious about what energy-efficient option will work best for your home, reach out to us at All American Window & Door. We’d love to help you find your new window!
Client Testimonials
Don’t just take it from us though! Hear what our clients have to say below!
GM Benjamin with Pedro and his work crew were exceptional, they were respectful of my house and they did beautiful work. GM Benjamin was open and honest about the work and gave us a great competitive price about replacing our 75 year old windows that the outside wood was falling apart in our fingers. Pedro and his work crew were so genuine, calm, and happy- I loved hearing them singing softly while they worked and all 3 men smiled often at us even through the stormy icky weather. What an awesome experience! One window had an hardware defect and they immediately sent out someone to fix with a temporary fix while the hardware was ordered – both men were friendly and kind, American windows fixed the defect happily. We look forward to working with them to complete the next set of windows in our house.
Wes was great with all the questions we had, including opening up the showroom after hours by appointment. Install was done well, they cleaned up and were courteous and nice. They even humored my kid to “help” a little. No issues so far, and we’d use All-American again for the rest of our windows.
