When it comes to boosting the energy efficiency of your St. Louis home, new windows are a great investment. New windows can enhance your comfort and lower your annual energy bills. Below, we’ll explore what energy-efficient windows are and how they can benefit your family.
What Are Energy-Efficient Windows?
Windows labeled as energy-efficient are designed to help reduce unwanted heat loss during the winter and limit heat gain during the summer. This better control of your indoor temperature leads to lower energy bills because your HVAC system doesn’t have to run as often to combat heat transfer from the outdoors. Energy-efficient windows come with low-E coatings that are fully transparent but block harmful UV rays that could otherwise fade your furniture and flooring.
Most of these windows come with insulated frames made of wood, fiberglass, vinyl, or even composite materials. This helps reduce heat transfer through the window frame. Additionally, these windows come with double or triple-pane glass that features Argon or Krypton gas between each pane. This gas is much denser than air, which leads to more insulation, further reducing heat transfer in or out of your window.
All windows that offer the best efficiency standards for your individual climate will be marked with an ENERGY STAR rating. Apart from the basic features above that come standard with all energy-efficient windows, you can purchase upgraded features. These require a higher upfront investment but will lead to more long-term energy savings for you.
A popular upgrade is triple-pane glass. Most standard windows come with two panes. A third pane ensures more insulation and better noise control. Instead of just having one pocket of gas between two panes, you’ll have two pockets between three panes. Opting for tinted or reflective glass can reduce solar heat gain by reflecting sunlight. Smart glass windows will automatically adjust your window’s tint, depending on your heat gain demand at the time. For example, it will allow natural sunlight in during the winter to boost your interior temperature and block it out during the summer to reduce cooling bills.
How Much Can They Really Save You?
Before you spend your hard-earned money on energy-efficient windows, you should first understand how much you can expect to save by installing them. This is largely dependent on the current price of electricity in St. Louis, your local microclimate, the size of your home, and the type of windows you currently have.
According to ENERGY STAR, homeowners who upgrade from single-pane glass windows to ENERGY STAR windows can save anywhere between $100 and $600 per year on their household energy bills. Those upgrading from double-pane windows to ENERGY STAR windows can save anywhere between $25 and $200 per year. There’s no doubt that purchasing ENERGY STAR windows for your home can be great for lowering summertime cooling and wintertime heating bills for decades to come.
The Many Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows
Being more comfortable in your home and reducing your household energy bills by an estimated 7% to 15% can be reason enough to invest in energy-efficient windows. However, there are many other benefits new windows can provide for your home, including:
- Higher property value
- Outside noise reduction
- Better home security
- Built-in UV protection
- Easier window operation
- Enhanced curb appeal
- Longer HVAC lifespan
- Better moisture control
Rebates, Incentives & Local Savings Opportunities
The Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit allows you to recoup up to 30% of the total cost of your new windows plus installation, up to a set maximum amount of $600 in the form of a tax credit. This will reduce the amount of federal income tax that you owe for the year. Additionally, many local utility companies will offer a one-time credit on your energy bills when you show proof of purchase. These include providers like Evergy, Missouri Energy, and Ameren Missouri.
Schedule a Consultation With Zen Windows in St. Louis Today
Zen Windows is a trusted window expert serving the St. Louis community. We make it our mission to pair you with the best energy-efficient windows to fit within your budget. Our local expertise and hassle-free installation process can make upgrading your home a real breeze. We can even provide you with a free replacement quote and financing upon approved credit.