Your home’s window design is the key to its performance. In hot, humid, and unpredictable climates like Raleigh/Durham, energy-efficient windows that protect your home are a priority for high performance.
Homeowners today need windows that will not only fit their home’s personality but come with a reasonable price tag and high energy performance ratings. Window designs today offer your home protection and an aesthetic that works with your exterior. Here are some tips, ideas and inspiration to help you decide on the right design for your home.
Importance of Energy Efficiency
An energy-efficient window design will support the performance of a home in a few ways. Older window designs can deteriorate over time and sometimes only come with single panes of glass that come with air leaks. “If you have these windows in your home, you are likely spending hundreds of dollars a year more in home heating and cooling costs than you would with the latest ENERGY STAR qualified windows,” according to ENERGY STAR guidelines.
We know windows are more energy efficient when they come with the right ratings for heat transmission: look for lower U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) numbers, which indicate how much heat is allowed in the home. A low-emissivity glass product will also help to keep your space energy efficient by reflecting harmful UV rays away from the home.
The easiest way to make sure your windows include these features is by looking for ENERGY STAR ratings. It’s recommended that you use:
Multiple panes of glass for additional protection
Gas-filled products that offer insulation
Updated window frame materials for a tighter seal
Spacers between glass panes to help manage heat flow and prevent condensation
Low-E glass that prevents heat infiltration and reflects UV light away from the home
Incorporating high-quality windows with these features will deliver a few other key benefits to homeowners, too.
Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows
The benefits provided by energy-efficient windows are sure to keep Raleigh/Durham homeowners happy. It’s not just about the lower utility bills or indoor comfort that will make you smile.
Improved Aesthetics
“Quality windows carry a higher initial cost and are a considerable investment, but over time they can offer significant payback in terms of improved aesthetics and energy savings,” according to Bob Vila. The right windows can add style to your home while keeping your house well-insulated, reduce outside noise and protect your interior from outside elements.
Sustainable Solutions
When your windows prevent heat transfer and offer continuous insulation, you also reduce your home’s impact on the environment. By helping to conserve energy and resources, your home meets higher sustainability standards.
Tax Breaks
There are also, of course, programs and tax credits offered at the national and state levels to help homeowners achieve safe, energy-efficient homes.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program to provide solutions for low-income families.
North Carolina Weatherization Assistance Program: “The Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to help low-income citizens save energy and reduce expenses through the installation of energy conservation materials and the implementation of energy efficiency measures in their homes.”
Federal Tax Credits: The federal government offers homeowners across every state an incentive for energy-efficient products.
But finding the right windows can be a challenge for homeowners, especially if you’ve never purchased them before.
Options for Energy-Efficient Windows
You have a lot of window options ahead of you as a homeowner, whether you’re looking for more traditional or contemporary designs. Window dealers like Talbert offer a full menu of brands and window products that homeowners have grown to trust. We also work closely with homeowners, builders, and architects to help you find the best product and configurations for your window design.
This contemporary home features several types of glass designs from Marvin windows, and all of them come with energy-efficient ratings that meet some of the industry’s highest standards. We love how the wood-inspired interior is offset by views of the gorgeous outdoor space.
Windows from Wincore helped this homeowner find solutions for energy efficiency in their new home. Allowing ample light in is important, but keeping the home protected from harsh UV light and severe weather goes a long way toward the home’s overall performance.
Solutions in Raleigh/Durham
Talbert Building Supply has a vast offering of windows that fit your needs for a beautiful and energy-efficient home. If you need any guidance, our team of experts will help you design solutions that will work for the long term.
Homeowners in Raleigh/Durham can visit Talbert’s Durham location and look at our portfolio of energy-efficient, high-performing brands, all in one spot. We’d love to help build (or remodel) your dream home! Get in touch with us today for more information!