A window’s energy efficiency is dependent upon all of its components. Window frames conduct heat, contributing to a window’s overall energy efficiency, particularly its U-factor. Glazing or glass technologies have become very sophisticated, and designers often specify different types of glazing or glass for different windows, based on orientation, climate, building design, etc. Another important consideration is how the windows operate, because some operating types have lower air leakage rates than others, which will improve your home’s energy efficiency. You’ll find that you have several options to consider when selecting what type of windows you should use in your home. Even the most energy-efficient window must be properly installed to ensure energy efficiency. Therefore, it’s best to have a professional install your windows. Check here for the pros and cons of different window type of windows
Low-emissivity glass (or low-e glass as it is commonly referred to) is a type of energy-efficient glass designed to prevent heat escaping through your windows to the cold outdoors. It has an invisible coating which dramatically reduces heat transfer and reflects interior heat back into your room. With ENERGY STAR windows longer-wave heat energy is reflected keeping summer heat out while shorter wave visible light passes to the interior. The low-E glass reflects heat to the inside of the house. Low-E glass coating, transparent metallic oxides that reflect up to 90% of long-wave heat energy, while passing shorter wave, visible light. Low-E coating improves the insulating value of a window roughly as adding an additional pane of glass does. Combining Low-E coating with low-conductance gas fillings. such as krypton or argon, boosts energy efficiency by nearly 100% over clear glass.
Installing low-e windows, you can significantly improve your windows energy rating and reduce the amount of energy lost through your windows by up to 75%! By placing low-e glass into a double glazed unit, the individual glass pane temperatures change. As more heat is retained, the outer pane of glass is not heated as much by escaping energy and the inner pane is keeping more heat in and becomes warmer. This has two effects.
1) There are less cold draughts from convection near the windows
2) The risk of condensation on the glass is reduced saving your windows from damage.
