Energy efficient windows are a terrific advantage for Kentucky homeowners. The alternative involves enduring worn out windows that allow lots of hot or cold air to enter your home. That’s a fast way to watch your utility bill skyrocket out of control.
Instead, let’s investigate the many benefits of modern windows from top brands like Pella and Marvin.
What are Energy Efficient Windows?
There are different ways to describe and evaluate the concept of “energy efficiency.” However, most folks in the window industry focus on the Energy Star standards published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Those guidelines let you know whether a window maker can use that label on their product lines.
Energy Star’s energy efficient standards include the following features:
- Two or Three Inch Window Panes – made from injected argon gas, designed to create optimal insulation.
- Window Frame Materials with Insulation Qualities
- Window Glass Pane Spacers – to keep window panes apart and minimize condensation.
- Low-E Glass – This reflects the heat, especially in the summer, rather than absorbing UV rays and artificially heating the home.
If you can identify window products with these characteristics, then you’re on the right track for finding the best utility-friendly windows.
Which Manufacturers Produce the Best Energy Efficient Windows?
While there are plenty of window designs and styles for residential homes these days, we like to highlight the most trusted brands. Kentucky Home Exteriors regularly installs fantastic single-pane, double-pane, and bay windows from three manufacturers: Pella, Marvin, and Harvey. Among these three, you’ll find terrific eco-efficient windows from any material – fiberglass, vinyl, or wood.
For example, the fiberglass windows, from Marvin, have many energy-saving benefits. They’re among the most durable, offer plenty of new curb appeal, and will finally address those cold drafts entering your home in the winter. Plus, the fiberglass material corresponds well with the fiber cement siding you can use to protect the rest of your home.
Finally, when you make the investment into more premium windows, you won’t have to spend as much time with maintenance or upkeep. It’s not a cheap purchase, by any means, but well worth it if you can enjoy something that lasts for decades. The brands we mentioned have warranty coverage for at least 15 to 20 years.
How Do You Know You Need New Windows?
How does a Kentucky homeowner decide to replace their windows with something more energy efficient? Well, it normally boils down to how much longer you’ll tolerate your current arrangement. After a while, however, you may notice severe problems with old windows, issues that are too serious to ignore any longer.
These are the most common signs you should replace your windows:
- They’ve gotten very difficult to operate. This could apply to crank windows that won’t crank without lots of force, or it may be hard to slide them open or close.
- There are cracks in the glass.
- You notice fog or condensation on the glass when it gets cold or humid.
- You can hear ALL the cars that pass by your home even with everything shut.
- The energy bill continues to get worse even though your other exterior components are in working order.
So, keep your eye on these defects or damages. If you aren’t sure whether your windows are too old, we can send someone from our team to give you a no-cost inspection.
Kentucky Home Exteriors: Pros for Window, Door, & Siding Installation
Since this only scratches the surface of what you do with windows, we invite you to reach out to us to learn more. Kentucky Home Exteriors can help you put together numerous window styles anywhere around your home. We also serve communities like Lexington, Louisville, and Bowling Green with fast and effective siding or door installation.
Contact us today to learn more about the most energy efficient windows available when you work with Kentucky’s top installation company.
