Choosing Eco-Friendly Windows for Your Home

Author: nancyferdinand | Posted: 07.06.2012

People these days are now growing more conscious about their consumption of energy and natural resources, not because it’s “in vogue” but because the effects of climate change are increasingly becoming harder to ignore. Saving the environment is a huge undertaking, yet we all need to play our part and contribute to reducing consumption in our own little ways. Consider, for example, something we may often take for granted: the windows in our homes.

Poorly constructed or worn-out windows provide less efficient insulation and let in excess warm or cold air. This causes your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sytem to work double time, and consequently drives up your monthly electric bill. To prevent this, you may opt for replacement windows or enhancements that are eco-friendly and energy-efficient. Here are some options worth considering.

Low-energy coatings. These are thin invisible layers that are intended to act as a thermos mug to retain heat during winter and cool air during summer. They help reduce energy consumption costs by at least 40 percent.

Composite windows. Windows like these are considered innovative and combine the best properties of various materials like wood and plastic. The best ones are 214 percent better than vinyl types and 62 percent better than wood types in terms of energy efficiency. They’re also highly resistant to insects, mildew, mold, and fungus.

Double or triple panes. Extra panes of glass separated by either krypton or argon—both of which are non-toxic—enhance your windows’ insulation properties and help conserve energy. Double-pane is the standard, but you can check with a window manufacturer or contractor which is the most ideal for your home.

Tints. As with car windows, tints on house windows help block heat and UV sunrays. This reduces glare and limits the excess natural light that enters your home. Tints also help preserve the beauty of your carpets and other fragile household items. You can ask a Wisconsin window manufacturer to adjust the tint level according to your needs.

Frames. You can also do your part in helping save the environment by opting for an earth-friendly frame. Wood frames derived from sustainable or recycled sources are considered eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing, while composite types are considered to have better insulation properties. Get quotes from Wisconsin window manufacturers before deciding which material to use.

You can also count on leading Wisconsin window manufacturers to give you the best advice on which eco-friendly window replacement options best suit your home. For more information, visit ecohearth.com/eco-zine/home-and-renovation/934-all-about-eco-friendly-windows-awnings-blinds-and-shades.html.

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