It’s hot in Florida! The increased summer temperatures makes it hard to keep homes cool. Fortunately, quality windows are an essential part of keeping your home’s temperature stable. 30% of heat transfer in your home occurs through the windows. This means your old, outdated or poorly insulated windows, may unknowingly allow excess heat to enter your home. To create energy efficiency and keep your home cool, focus on ways to protect your windows from the Florida heat.
The key to energy efficiency with windows during the summer months is twofold, keep cool air in and warm air out. Inspect your windows to identify compromised areas. Also, consider conducting a home energy audit to identify all areas in your home where energy efficiency needs improvement. The total home approach will save you money on your energy bill and keep you cooler.
Window Treatments
Window treatments play a vital role in keeping your home cool in the summer. 76% of the sunlight that hits your home’s windows enters as heat. When the days are longer, window treatments help in the battle to keep the heat out. Window treatment options are able for both the interior and exterior of your home.
Exterior options include shutters, awning and solar window screens. For Florida residents, especially near coastal areas, it’s important that exterior window treatments are properly attached to avoid detachment during severe weather. These window treatments block the sun from hitting your windows and transferring the heat.
Interior window treatment options block the heat from entering once it’s penetrated the glass. Select operable window covering that can be opened and closed as needed. Insulated cellular shades offer good results and can reduce heat transfer to as low as 15%. Other positive options include traditional blinds, roman shades and drapes. The quality of the window covering directly impacts the energy savings.
Low-e Glass
Low-e glass windows are windows with a low emissivity coating to prevent heat transfer and UV rays from entering through the glass. The coating is invisible and allows natural light to flow through. The glass is designed to reflect sunlight away from the glass keeping the interior temperature of your home cooler.
Low-e glass is an excellent feature for window replacement in Jacksonville, Florida to minimize summer heat transfer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, low-e glass windows can reduce energy loss by up to 50% saving homeowners money and reducing energy usage.
Double-Pane Windows
Single-pane windows offer poor energy efficiency when compared to double- or even triple-pane windows. Especially in hot climates, like Florida, this added protection is needed. Double-pane windows have two panes of glass with only a small space in between, which is usually filled with insulating gas for added heat protection.
Double-pane windows not only offer energy efficiency, but also block out unwanted noise and increase your home’s value. Double-pane windows are a good investment whether you are building a new home or replacing the windows in your existing home.
Seal Leaky Windows
Air leaks allow unwanted heat to enter and cool air to escape through the edges of the windows. To reduce heat transfer and increase energy efficiency, properly seal your windows. This is one reason it’s critical to have replacement windows professionally installed. When windows aren’t properly installed, they’re often not properly sealed. This means that even if you pay for better windows, you won’t get the energy saving benefits. Make the smart choice and have your windows installed by a trusted, professional window company.
For existing windows, deterioration, damage to the frame or normal wear and tear can lead to leaky windows. The easiest way to seal windows is with weatherstripping and caulk. Inspect your windows to determine if you have an air leak, and remedy the problem for added energy savings.
Window Replacement
Old windows can cost homeowners a lot of money in high energy costs. New windows are a smart investment for homeowners. Not only do they help increase energy efficiency, they also add value to your home. Window replacement recoups around 75% of the invested cost.
When shopping for new windows, choose the best quality windows for your budget. Double-pane, low-e glass, aluminum windows offer added security, curb appeal and energy savings. Plus, quality windows last longer saving you even more money in the long run.
Beat the Heat this Summer!
Don’t overwork your AC unit this summer. Beat the heat by improving your home’s windows. Reduce energy loss and keep you home cooler this summer. Contact American Window Products, your local, trusted window company for window replacement in Jacksonville, Florida and surrounding areas.