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Your Guide to Understanding Double-Pane Windows and How They Can Help Save Your Energy Bill

More than $1000 is spent by the average US resident on energy bills per year. Energy bills vary through the year because of the different seasons that come up. The sad news may be that much of the heating and cooling of your home escapes through the windows. You will end up paying more when your single-pane windows are not able to hold in warm air during winter and cool air during summer. You can count on double-pane windows to help you save money by reducing energy consumption.

Double-pane windows are created with two sheets of glass. Argon gas is put between the panes. This gas offers an extra layer of insulation which slows heat transfer through the windows. The gas contains no moisture, and therefore, your double-pane windows will not be clouded with condensation. Many double-pane windows are made with argon gas because of its non-toxicity and noncorrosive nature. Having double-pane windows will ensure that you do not only cut on energy costs, but there will be extra protection from outside factors such as noise.

Windows are responsible for up to 30% of cooling and heating energy loss, according to the Department of Energy in the US. Therefore, instead of spending to keep your HVAC system running, you can spend on replacing your outdated windows. Once in place, double-pane windows can offer 50% more energy efficiency compared to single-pane windows. Therefore, even though the project might sound expensive, you will end up cutting out almost 1/3 of your energy loss and save money every month.

You need to look into the quality of the double-pane windows you decide to purchase so that they will provide you with the benefits you need. Double-pane windows are created with low-emissivity glass which has a transparent coating to make the window more efficient. The coating reflects heat into a room and at the same time allows the sun’s heat and light to pass through it. Some manufacturers combine the low-emissivity glass with self-cleaning or acoustic glass, and you can choose the one that is best for you. You also need to consider the R-value rating of the windows, and the rating is provided to show the effectiveness of a material in resisting conductive heat flow. Most single-pane windows have an R-value of 0.9, but most double-pane windows have a 2.04 R-value. It is also crucial to look at the seals to ensure that they are strong and high-quality and that they are also filled with class and not air.

It will be most beneficial if you get all your windows replaced so that you will gain the most out of energy savings. You can consider getting an expert to carry out the installation, or get an extra hard to help you if you decide to do it yourself for proper installation.