Light and Heat Part 1: Why Consider Them When Buying Windows
April 06, 2018When buying replacement windows, daylighting and energy efficiency are some of the most important factors you need to consider. Some products are good at catching a lot of sunlight, while others are designed to trap indoor heat.
Renewal by Andersen® of Milwaukee discusses some of the best reasons why you should choose windows adept at doing both:
Sun Is Free and Healthy
Getting a generous amount of natural light makes an energy-saving and happy home. A profusion of sunlight brightens up your space at no cost, decreasing your dependence on artificial lighting. Studies show that daylighting helps beat the blues and increase productivity. Most importantly, regular exposure to sunshine is key to regulating your body clock, helping you get restful sleep every day.
The sun is constantly showering your home with a free and abundant source of energy. Apart from glazed entry and patio doors, the best way to harvest it is through windows with a high visible-transmission rating.
Excessive Solar Heat Gain Can Be a Drawback
The usual drawback of daylighting is excessive heat gain. If your windows lack invisible Low-E coatings, they would also let in the invisible portion of the solar spectrum. Using the sun to heat your home is useful during winter, but you can’t always say the same during the hottest months. Although you can open them to ventilate your room with external winds, doing so would make your valuables more vulnerable to damaging ultraviolet rays.
Excellent Thermal Insulation Saves Energy
Any experienced windows contractor would agree that high-performance fenestration products add value to your home’s complete thermal enclosure system. In addition to airtight seals, adequate insulation and reduced thermal bridging, windows with a low U-factor are paramount to using less energy for comfort.
But then again, you shouldn’t just buy the products with the lowest U-factor. In Milwaukee County, it’s imperative to choose windows with the right combination of U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient ratings to meet ENERGY STAR®’s requirements. Ideally, the most suitable products are those with a U-factor of 0.27 or less and any Solar Heat Gain Coefficient value. Although you’re allowed to use windows with a U-factor of 0.30 at most, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient minimum changes whenever the U-factor increases.
Stay tuned for the second part of Renewal by Andersen of Milwaukee’s special blog about daylighting and energy efficiency. To talk about your Wisconsin window replacement project, call our local Milwaukee, WI, number at (262) 522-3034 or our toll-free number at (877) 977-3639. We’ll be happy to schedule your free, in-home consultation at your most convenient time.
