The windows your choose for your Texas home can make a significant difference in its comfort level and the money you spend on heating and cooling costs. For the greatest energy savings the EPA recommends installing windows that meet the following performance standards:
- Windows that have a U-factor of 0.30 or less andan SHGC of 0.25 or less.
- Skylights with a U-factor of 0.53 or less andan SHGC of 0.28 or less.
- Windows that are ENERGY STAR® Certified in All 50 States.
What Are U-Factors and SHGCs?
- Performance rating U-factors measure the rate of heat transfer. They also tell you how well the window insulates. The lower the U-factor, the better the window insulates. Windows that meet this recommendation are designed to keep heat out on hot days and in on colder days. The U-factor of windows is also affected by the window frame material, glazing, and low-E coatings.
- Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) ratings measure the amount of solar energy that’s transmitted through the window and indicates how well the window blocks heat caused by sunlight. The lower the SHGC rating is, the less solar heat a window transmits. The SHGC is the more critical window property in warmer climates. A low SHGC can be realized through a combination of low-E coatings, glazing, and tints.
Why Energy-Efficient Windows Are Important for Texas Homes
Did you know that up to 30% of your home’s heated or cooled air can be “lost” through your windows? This thermal transfer occurs when there is a temperature difference between the indoors and outdoors. The greater the difference, the higher the rate of heat transmission.
We all know that summer in Texas is warm and humid, and the winter months can see temperatures drop close to freezing. One of the most effective things you can do to lower your energy consumption and reduce your home’s carbon footprint is to install energy-efficient windows.
During the warmer months, energy-efficient windows help contain the cool air from your home’s air conditioner inside, while keeping the hot, humid air outside – where it belongs. Your home’s interior remains at a comfortable temperature and you have the added benefit of lower energy bills each month. A microscopic layer of Low-E reflective coating on the windows can also reduce the amount of solar heat that enters the home by 70%.
Another benefit to installing energy-efficient windows in Texas is that the lower the heat transfer, the less your HVAC strains to maintain a consistent interior temperature. You save money on heating and cooling bills and quite possibly extend the life of your HVAC system.
Contact Amazing Exteriors for Energy-Efficient Windows for Your Texas Home
The wide selection of energy efficient replacement windows and doors provides Texas homeowners with lower heating and cooling bills and improved home comfort. Plus they look great! Contact Amazing Exteriors for the widest variety and highest quality professional installation of windows, siding, roofing and doors. Call us at (817) 756-4004 to schedule a free in-home analysis. You can also stop by and visit our amazing showrooms in San Antonio, Dallas, or our featured location this month for Replacement Windows in Austin, TX.
