In climates such as southern and central Arizona, including Phoenix, replacement windows will make a noticeable impact in the comfort level of your household and in your utility bills. Combined with the benefits related to energy and money savings, energy efficient replacement windows also improve the look of a home, reduce the noise level, allow less dust to enter a home, protect the interior (carpet, rugs, floors, furniture, window coverings, art, pictures) against fading produced by ultraviolet light, let more light in and reduce condensation on the windows.
Window Ratings
With over three hundred days of sun per year, how effectively a window blocks the heat and ultraviolet rays from the sun is crucial. Energy Star windows are scored in 5 categories. The U-Factor and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measure how much heat a window transfers and are the central rankings to focus on when shopping for replacement windows for a Phoenix home.
Solar Heat Gain
Solar heat gain is the proportion of the sun's energy stated more precisely transmitted through a window. The sun's heat is passed through the glass and the window frame and sash. The frame and sash can comprise 10-30% of the area of a window so the frame construction is a critical factor. Windows utilize a variety of techniques to inhibit solar gain.
Low-E Coatings
Low-E coatings decrease the heat and ultraviolet rays passing through a window. Low-E coatings are very thin, invisible metal layers applied to the glass. High, medium and low solar gain options of Low-E coatings are readily available. To further reduce solar gain, many double pane windows utilize Low-E coatings on both pieces of glass.
Gas Fillings
The space between the panes of glass in dual pane windows can be filled with gas (Argon gas or Krypton gas). This gap can be filled air or gas (Argon gas or Krypton gas). Being denser than air, the gasses make it tougher for hot or cold air to pass through. Krypton is the heavier of the two gasses and needs a narrower gap between the panes but is more expensive. The gasses are non-toxic so a damaged window does not cause a health risk.
Window Frames
Vinyl windows frames have hollow spaces inside which may be filled with insulation to enhance their thermal performance. Aluminum transmits heat very well so aluminum windows posses poor thermal performance unless a thermal break is added. A material which transmits heat very poorly is added between the aluminum pieces on the interior and exterior of the window to create a thermal break.
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