When the temperature drops and winter winds howl, the best place to be is snug and cozy in your warm home. But cold air seeping through the cracks, causing drafts and chills, can ruin that comfort while also costing you money.
Windows and doors are common points of ingress for cold winter air, especially if you’re living with builder-grade, single-pane glass. If you want to stay warm and reduce energy costs this winter, it’s time to consider replacing inadequate windows with insulated glass. What will you gain by upgrading?
What is Insulated Glass?
Some windows have only a single pane of glass that does little to prevent heat loss in winter (or heat gain in summer). Insulated glass features an assembly of two or more panes of glass set parallel in a frame and separated by a small, sealed air gap.
This gap is filled with an inert (non-reactive) gas, such as argon, that has low thermal conductivity. In other words, it doesn’t easily transfer heat, so it adds insulation between the cold air outside and your warm home interior.
What are the Benefits of Choosing Insulated Glass?
Installing new windows can be a big project, but it’s well worth the effort and investment. What are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy when you upgrade to more energy-efficient windows?
Reduce Energy Consumption and Utility Costs
Upgrading from single-pane glass to insulated glass windows results in average energy savings of up to 13%, although it could be more. When temperatures drop during the winter months and energy bills skyrocket, this could equate to significant savings year after year.
If your energy bill averages $100 per month in the winter, that’s a savings of $13 each month, or $65 total during the average winter season. It may not sound like much, but over the average estimated 15–30-year lifespan of an insulated window, you would save about $1,000-$2,000, which significantly offsets the initial cost of replacement.
You’ll do your HVAC system a favor, as well, by reducing demand in peak winter and summer seasons, prolonging equipment longevity. By reducing energy consumption, you also cut your carbon footprint.
Increase Home Value
Some home upgrades, like kitchen and bathroom renovations, are easy to see. Others may not be as visible, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have value to prospective homebuyers.
When you install insulated glass, you improve the value of your home, thanks to greater interior comfort and energy savings. This can translate to greater buyer interest, a higher asking price, and better return on investment when you decide to sell your home.
Reduce Heat Loss and Maintain a Comfortable Interior
Whether your house came with single-pane windows or you’re dealing with issues like broken seals, now is a great time to consider the benefits of insulated glass.
With two panes of glass instead of one and a gas-filled cavity in between, you’ll significantly increase the layers of insulation between inside and out. This can help eliminate drafts and minimize heat loss, improving temperature regulation and making for more comfortable living spaces year-round.
Upgrade Windows for Year-Round Benefits
In every season, insulated windows can help you maintain a comfortable home and curb energy demand and utility costs. Contact the Complete Window Care team today to learn more.