Many people think autumn is the most beautiful time of the year, and there’s good reason for it. Leaves are turning, temperatures mild, and there’s nothing like spending a Saturday afternoon in an apple orchard.
But what we’re often pushing to the backs of our minds is what’s on its way: winter. Howling winds and frigid temps are coming only too soon, which means we need to start preparing our homes to handle the change in climate.
An energy-efficient window installation makes a great pre-winter renovation, with benefits that will pay back some of the costs. V.C.G. Construction has four benefits of installing energy-efficient windows this fall:
1. Make Your Home Cozier
Time to put the screens away, but what if your windows make your living room almost as cold? Energy-inefficient windows have cold interior surface temperatures in winter, which can make the temperatures right next to them drop to the floor.
An energy-efficient window installation means interior glass surface temperatures stay higher, keeping rooms warmer. For once, your brightest room won’t be your coldest.
2. Save On Your Utilities
Installing energy-efficient windows often means saving money on your energy bill. Think about it: Old windows are simultaneously hemorrhaging warmth AND cooling the room through cold interior surface temperatures. As a result, your HVAC system has to work overtime just to keep the room at 68 degrees.
On the contrary, energy-efficient windows reduce warm air leakage and have warmer indoor surface temperatures, which means your heater doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the home cozy. The result is a heating bill you can get on board with.
3. No More Frosty Mornings
Interior condensation can be a real problem with energy-inefficient windows. Thanks to their cold surface temps, frost and other moisture tend to build up on the glass, preventing sunlight from coming through and possibly running off the windows to stain woodwork or damage wallpaper or plaster.
While reducing interior humidity through vent fans is important, an energy-efficient window installation can also help alleviate the problem. Thanks to warmer interior surfaces, condensation is significantly reduced under most conditions.
4. Reduced Fading of Beloved Furniture
Carpets, artwork, wood, and fabric furniture can all fade when exposed to prolonged sunlight, but an energy-efficient window installation can make a difference. Top-notch brands utilize glass that blocks all UV radiation below 300 nm, keeping the home looking its best. Finally, you can put your favorite chair next to the window without worrying.
