Windows are one of the primary influences on the energy efficiency of a building, as they serve as both an inlet for solar heat gain and an outlet for heated or cooled indoor air to escape. Not to mention a lack of natural light in an indoor space has a detrimental effect on mental health, which is why any building without a window soon gets described as “like a prison”.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, windows can be responsible for 25-30% of a building’s heating and cooling energy use. However, windows can be optimised to be as efficient as possible and your windows can likely be upgraded to better conserve your energy. Take a look at how you can upgrade your windows to keep the temperature you want and the money you need.
Electric window openers
Electric window openers can help save energy by allowing for natural ventilation. By using controls to automatically open windows when outdoor conditions are favourable, electric openers can reduce the need for mechanical cooling from air conditioning. This action alone will saves costs on electricity that would have been used to power A/C units, fans and other similar hardware.
Automatic openers with smart sensors and controls deliver the greatest energy efficiency benefits from natural ventilation. Not only will this aid your energy usage but also improve your bottom line, as electric window openers can be an energy and cost-effective method to supplement a building’s ventilation needs.
Double or triple glazed windows
Properly applied double or even triple glazing is important for energy efficiency in your windows. Poorly insulated windows allow conducted heat transfer through the glass and frame. This means heat from inside the building can transfer outwards in winter, and external summer heat conducts inward. However, double, or triple glazed windows will provide significantly better insulation than single-pane windows by reducing heat transfer through the glass.
Double glazed windows are made up of two panes of glass with air sealed in the space between them, acting as an insulator, whereas triple glazed windows have three panes of glass. The additional air space provides even better insulation than the double.
Weatherstripping
Proper weatherstripping will reduce exterior hot or cold air getting into the building through the gaps in your window, which will cancel out your interior temperature control.
Common types of weatherstripping materials include foam strips made from polyethylene, vinyl, or polyurethane foam, rubber or vinyl seals for sealing the window-to-frame junction, fibrous rope seals made from nylon, foam or rubber blended with fibre and interlocking metal and magnetic strips for a stronger solution.
Window position
Believe it or not, where your windows are located is also an important factor as to how efficient it is. If you are thinking of adding a window or skylight to say a loft space or a basement, you might want to think about what direction it’s pointing and how much you will get out of it.
South facing façades will maximize solar gain in cold climates during winter and north facing windows cause the least solar gain. So, if you’re in the UK for example, ideally you’ll want windows that face south, whereas downtown LA buildings would be better with north facing windows.
