Your windows could be costing you a small fortune.
According to the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance , up to 25 per cent of heat loss occurs through windows that are either poorly insulated or installed. And with the chilly winter months coming up, you don’t want to be blasting the furnace only to feel like you’re being robbed blind every time you receive a hydro bill.
Heat loss via windows can happen in 4 different ways, namely:
- Infiltration – Air escaping from the gaps and tiny spaces along the edges
- Conduction – Heat passing through the window glass (common with single-pane windows)
- Radiation – When the warm air flowing from a heated object interacts with a cooler object nearby (like a window) causing equilibrium and a subsequent drop in household temperature.
- Convection – Windows act as a barrier between your home and the outside world. During the winter, the outside of your windows deal with icy conditions while the inside is heated and toasty. This creates a current near your window that actually replaces the warm air in your house with the heavier cold air from outside thereby causing your home’s temperature to drop.
In order to combat these common causes of heat loss, you need to ensure that your windows are properly insulated for energy efficiency. Not only can insulation lower your hydro costs, but also it can enable your home to maintain a higher humidity level that increases air quality and reduces the risk of window condensation.
Purchasing the most energy efficient windows possible is an investment that continually pays for itself, and in order to make the best decision, you must understand 3 crucial components that insulate windows and help you save money:
Framing – If your frames are hollow, air circulates inside them causing a cooling effect on your sill and window. However, if you install foam-filled frames, you will notice that the frame does not enable the circulation of cold air. Rather, it effectively blocks the outside winter temperatures from coming in.
Glazing – Modern glazing technologies are well equipped to deal with the realities of a harsh Canadian climate. Low E Glass or Low Emissivity Glass is ideal for thermal insulation because it has a metallic transparent coating that uses dual action to reflect heat back into the room while also allowing heat and light from the sun to pass through.
Multiple Panes – Single pane windows are a popular and inexpensive choice for many North American homeowners, however these windows are terrible for locking in heat. Think about it like this: when you go outside in the winter, you know that layering up is fundamentally what keeps you cozy and warm. It’s the same thing with your windows, and that’s why triple pane (3 separate pieces of glass separated by 2 closed airspaces) blocks the frigid elements from entering.
Of course, proper installation also goes a long way towards contributing to the overall energy efficiency of your home. With Casa Bella’s High Performance Energy Package your professional installation includes a triple glass window sealed unit with double Low E, thermal foam fill of frame and sash. This results in up to 45 per cent higher energy efficiency over most double glazed windows.
Got more questions about energy efficiency windows, insulation, or saving on your hydro bill? Then fill out an online quote form here or call Casa Bella at 1-800-407-9917.
