Save Energy & Money NOW!
(Page 4 of 8)
October/November 2001
By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk
If you're still confused, look for the Energy Star label. Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, this label identifies the most efficient windows for specific climates. Star-bearing windows are 15 to 40 percent more efficient than those that simply meet building codes.
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Replacing windows is a costly proposition; in most cases, it takes 15 to 20 years for the energy savings to pay back the installation cost. But adding storm windows is much less expensive, and can double the R-value of single-pane windows. Storm windows also help reduce drafts, condensation and frost formation. There are also many other improvements you can do to your existing windows to help them perform at their best.
Cold weather solutions - Start with basic repairs, such as applying putty to loose panes. If you're not planning to open the window during the winter months, seal the sash with removable rope caulk .
Plastic window sheeting creates an insulating dead-air space inside the window. This cuts down on the transfer of heat from inside to outside. With a few rolls of shrink-wrap plastic and a hair dryer, you can cut heat loss by 25 to 40 percent. In winter, you can find these window insulation kits at any hardware store.
Insulating shades use layers of insulating material, a radiant barrier and a moisture resistant layer to help prevent condensation. One manufacturer claims an R-value increase of R 1.3 to R 7.69 over a single-glazed window. A custom-made window shade can cost about $300, but you can make an insulated shade yourself using reflective materials available at most fabric stores for about $4 a yard.
Warm weather solutions - According to Heede, a single 3-by-4 foot window can add as much as $24 a year to summer cooling costs. Here are some ways to save that cash.
White shades or miniblinds can reduce solar heat gain by 50 percent.
Porches, overhangs and awnings are even more effective than blinds because they stop the sun without restricting the breeze. Install the awning so it extends about halfway down the window, blocking the sun during all but the early morning and late afternoon hours.
Low-E films - Low-E plastic films can be installed on existing windows. They let in most visible light, but block out solar radiation. Be wary of less expensive "tinted" films - they can substantially reduce inside light. The films are not easily removable, so if you want to use sunlight in winter for heat gain, they may not be the right choice for you.
The Right Lights
The average incandescent light bulb is a better heater than an illuminator - only 10 percent of the energy it consumes is converted into light energy; the rest is wasted as heat. Maybe that explains why lighting consumes nearly 25 percent of all the electricity generated in the United States. The solution is fast, easy and inexpensive: fluorescent lighting. According to EERC, replacing just 25 percent of your lights in high-use areas with fluorescent's can slash your lighting bill by 50 percent.
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