The days are gone when the only priority for homeowners’ was finding stylish window treatments. Statistics by the US department of energy report that 30% of heating energy in homes is lost through its windows. Consequently, today’s homebuilders are more sensitive to minimizing the cost of heating or cooling the house, and in this case, selecting the perfect window for your home.

How far then should you go when choosing energy-efficient windows? You need to know what window upgrades will give you the most significant returns for your money while still keeping you within your budget.

New windows will boost your home’s quality of life by keeping the rooms at the right temperature while improving the curb appeal and reducing noise from the outside.

Below are some factors to consider when choosing an energy-efficient window for your home

The rating

When you go shopping for windows, you need to search for the certified energy star products from the National Fenestration Rating Council, a voluntary program for testing and certifying windows, skylights, and doors. With NFRC ratings, the lower the rating, the more energy-efficient the window is.

Following are some of the critical ratings you expect;

U-factor is the amount of non-solar heat that moves from outside to the inside.

Solar heat gain coefficient is another rating that shows the amount of solar radiation that can be transferred through the window to the inside of your home.

Air leakage rating shows the amount of air flowing through the window, and this is measured using cubic feet per minute of air transfer.

Visible transmittance ratings will show you the visible light transmitted into your house through the window.

The above rating values vary depending on where you are, and as a homeowner, you need to be aware of your climate zone. This should inform you of the window features to look out for.

The window type

When choosing the window types for your home, consider the possibility of air leakage.

Following are some of the common types of windows;

Single/ double-hung. These have a lower and upper sash, or movable window portions. You can open a single -hung window by sliding the bottom sash up, and therefore both can move up and down.

Sliding. This is a type opened by sliding horizontally.

Casement. This is a hinged window that opens from the bottom. Hopper is a hinged window that opens from the top.

Most home builders today go for a double-hung window. Statistics by the energy department show that these windows are more likely to leak more air than casement or any other type. Additionally, Sliding windows also have high leakage rates.

Casement, awning, or hopper are hinge windows that have less leakage, but may not allow for more functionality.

Consider the frame

The frame of the window is crucial when it comes to the type of window you choose. With proper insulation, vinyl replacement windows Dallas offers substantial energy efficiency. Composite or wood frames can also insulate well, but their performance is not as high. Metal frames are known to have the lowest performance quality in regards to energy efficiency.

When choosing your house’s windows, you must select the ones that will ensure high-energy efficiency and allow for a functional style.