Low-Emissive or “Low-E” Windows Help Save Electricity
If you plan to replace windows in the near future, or add new ones to a future home addition, then use Energy Star qualified, Low Emissive (Low-E) windows. They could reduce your energy bill as much as 15%.
When shopping for windows look at the “U-factor” rating. Windows should have a label fro the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) which displays the U-Factor and several other ratings. Be sure to choose something with a U-factor of 0.35 or less – the lower the better. That number measures the amount of heat that is transferred through the window unit. The less heat passing through, the less you have to pay to pump it back out again with your air conditioning system.
Windows achieve this Low-E typically with a metallic coating which reflects the long-wave rays that bring heat and UV. Light is transmitted on shorter wavelengths which aren’t affected by this coating, so you won’t notice any reduction in visibility.
The cost of Low-E windows should only be slightly more than other windows. Yet they can save significantly more. A typical sized home can save up to $100 per year compared with clear double-paned windows, or up to four times that amount if compared with single pane windows. So it really pays to consider the U-factor when shopping for new windows.
Texas energy company is a reseller of Texas electricity and generally concerned when it comes to excess electricity usage by providing access to cheap electricity in Texas. The Texas energy company maintains a save electricity blog which provides tips and suggestions about how to save money on your electricity bill.
Tags: low e windows, low emissive windows, save electricity, windows