The Importance of Energy-Efficient Windows for Northeastern Homes

Replacing all of the windows on your home is not a small job, but for many homeowners in the northeast, it’s a worthwhile investment to make. A large number of northeastern homes are quite old, as this was the first part of our nation to be settled. Many of these homes are rich in historical beauty but lacking in terms of energy efficiency. Most of them aren’t insulated the way that homes built today are. Not to mention, temperatures in the northeast can drop below zero in the winter and hit triple digits in the summer, making it all the more important to have energy-efficient windows installed.

How Do Energy-Efficient Windows Help?

Having energy-efficient windows installed on your home provides a number of benefits. For starters, your home will be more comfortable. With old, underperforming windows on your home, you’re probably losing about a third of your home’s heated or cooled air. If you’re always fidgeting with the thermostat because you’re either too hot or too cold, that’s a sign that your windows are probably letting too much hot air in or out.

Reduce Monthly Utility Bills

What’s more, because you have to constantly tweak the thermostat to stay comfortable, your HVAC system is working extra hard to maintain a consistent interior temperature. This can lead to higher energy usage—which not only means you’re paying more each month but that you’re also leaving a bigger carbon footprint, which is a sticking point for many eco-conscious consumers. Not to mention, the harder your HVAC system works, the more likely it is to break down and require repairs or need to be replaced entirely.

Boost Your Home’s Market Value

Energy-efficient windows can also help increase the overall value of your home. As far as home upgrades go, having replacement windows installed offers one of the best ROIs. So, if you’re planning to put your home on the market someday and your current windows are less than ideal, replacing them would be a smart investment to make.

Reduced Condensation

When indoor temperatures are radically different from outdoor temperatures, condensation forms on window panes. This fogging can occur in one of three places: the outside glass, the inside glass, or between the panes on double- and triple-pane windows. Outside and inside condensation obstructs the view, but it doesn’t normally rise about the level of a nuisance. Condensation between the panes, on the other hand, can indicate a broken seal that may be allowing excessive amounts of moisture into your home. If this is the case, it may be time to consider a window replacement.

As for the other two types of condensation: High-performance windows have warm-edge spacers in between the panes that help prevent indoor condensation by keeping the innermost layer of glass the same temperature as the air around it. The spacer can also help reduce outside condensation or frost, but to a lesser degree.

Protect Fabrics

Most energy-efficient windows have a special low-E coating on the glass that blocks out up to 95% of UV rays. This is the type of light that causes sunburn. It’s also responsible for color fading in upholstery, drapes, carpeting, and other sun-exposed fabrics. By replacing your old windows, you’ll help maintain the vibrancy of your furnishings.

Filter Out Noise

Special coatings, multiple panes, and insulation-filled frames do more than just make high-performance windows energy efficient. They also help filter outdoor noises, especially sounds in the higher frequencies such as squealing beaks, blaring car alarms, barking dogs, and sirens. That will make your home a more tranquil and peaceful environment for you and your family.

Increase Humidity Levels

It may seem counter-intuitive since we earlier explained how energy-efficient windows can reduce condensation on the inside of the glass, but because they are so good at preventing air leakage, high-performance windows can actually increase the level of humidity inside your home. That’s because they eliminate the unintended airflow through seal breaches that may have been occurring with old windows. The good news is that this can be easily avoided by investing in a dehumidifier or simply opening those amazing new windows every now and then to get a little cross ventilation flowing.

To learn more about the importance of having energy-efficient windows installed on your home in the northeast, click here to locate the nearest Sunrise Windows dealer.