What Is Energy Efficiency and How Do Vinyl Windows Contribute to It?

If you’re remodeling your home, you’re probably going to replace your windows. You might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Everywhere you turn, people are talking about vinyl replacement windows in Hawaii. They’re energy efficient, everyone says. Just what is energy efficiency, and how do you get it from a window?

What Is Energy Efficiency?

The definition of energy efficiency is using less energy to do the same task. To illustrate, energy efficient windows allow no air leaks to exit the windows. The A/C won’t work as hard which will lower your power bill. Energy efficiency also improves a homeowner’s carbon footprint by generating less greenhouse gases.

How Is It Done?

A single pane of glass is just that. It keeps out little noise, few harmful rays from the sun and keeps inside very little cool or warm air. Any room with a single pane window turns into either a deep freeze or a hot house.

In a double pane window, gas between the double panes keeps cold air out and warm air in or vice versa. Glazes like low-emissivity coating and reflective glazing reduce heat coming through the window.

Vinyl replacement windows in Hawaii are more thermogenic than wood or aluminum. There will be no gap between the double-pane window and frame, so no air leaks will occur. Vinyl is the go-to material for preventing air leaks. Foam in the frames and warm edge spacers complete the window’s energy efficiency.

Installation

However, double-pane, low-e coating vinyl windows aren’t the whole energy efficiency story. Installation is important. If the windows don’t fit snugly in their frame and aren’t sealed properly or at all, then you may as well just turn off the HVAC. It’s all going outside. Proper installation means the windows perform at peak efficiency for many years and keep your power bill low.