Why Energy-Efficient Windows Matter in Central Nebraska

If you've resided in Central Nebraska for even a relatively short period of time, then you'll realize that the weather in this area doesn't subscribe to the idea of moderation.

In the summer the temperatures can reach the 90s and go higher, and in the winter freezing temperatures, strong winds occur and there are times when it sounds better to stay indoors than to do almost anything else. Although your heating and cooling systems take on a great deal of the workload, your windows can have a greater effect on indoor comfort than you may realize.

Windows that are old or inefficient cause heat to enter your house in the summer and to leave during the winter. By substituting them with modern, energy-efficient windows you can achieve a more comfortable home all year long and may reduce the amount of work required by your furnace and air conditioner.

Why Windows Matter So Much in Nebraska

Central Nebraska is a region that requires a lot of heating. In the area around Grand Island the normal annual demand for heating is much greater than the demand for cooling. Yet that doesn't imply that our summers are kind to your home.

Heat tends to move most readily between the inside and outside of a house through windows. Windows that are old—especially those that are single pane or are double pane but have become old over time—generally have much less insulating value than the walls surrounding them.

In January you might have to sit by a window and still feel a cold draft even if the furnace is on.

In July it would be necessary to close the blinds in the afternoon since the sunlight passing through the windows causes a room to become noticeably hotter.

Windows nowadays are created with the aim of eliminating both issues.

How New Windows Help During a Nebraska Summer

If sunlight comes upon a window, part of the solar energy passes through the glass and is then converted into heat within your house.

This is particularly obvious when looking at large south- and west-facing windows during afternoons in Nebraska.

Energy-efficient windows can reduce heat gain thanks to features such as Low-E glass coatings. Low-E, or low-emissivity, coatings consist of very thin layers which are applied to the glass and which help to reflect infrared heat even while permitting natural light into the room.

This means that in the summer less of the sun's heat gets into your home.

The result can be:

• More consistent indoor temperatures

• Fewer rooms that feel noticeably hotter than others

• Less strain on your air conditioner

• Better comfort near large windows

• Less UV exposure that can fade flooring, furniture and finishes

Research carried out at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has even demonstrated that high-performance triple-pane windows can considerably cut down on air-conditioning demand during the hottest part of the day when compared with standard double-pane windows.

And When Winter Arrives?

The same technologies function in the opposite way when the temperature falls.

Modern insulated windows instead stop the indoor heat from escaping through the glass and therefore retain more of that warmth inside.

The glass used in most high-quality replacement windows nowadays consists of two or three panes with an insulating space between them. This space is usually filled with a gas like argon, since this gas conducts heat more slowly than ordinary air.

Together with Low-E coatings and an insulated frame, these features form a considerably more effective thermal barrier between the warm living room and a freezing Nebraska night.

It can result in less drafts, warmer inner glass surfaces and a more even temperature in your house.

Double-Pane or Triple-Pane?

It doesn't mean that you have to take the most expensive window on the market in order to see an improvement.

In a large number of houses in Central Nebraska, high-quality double-glazed windows fitted with Low-E glass and having an insulated gas fill represent a significant improvement on earlier windows.

By adding another pane and another insulated cavity, triple-pane windows take insulation to the next level. They are particularly appealing to homeowners who place a high importance on maximum efficiency, better sound reduction or an extra degree of comfort when the temperatures are extreme.

When you're looking at windows, though, don't limit yourself to the number of panes.

Check for the NFRC label.

The National Fenestration Rating Council offers standardized performance ratings in order that

homeowners may compare one window with another. Two figures are especially useful:

The U-Factor is a measure of how readily heat passes through a window, with a lower value being better.

The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is a measure of the amount of solar heat that passes through the glass; once more, the lower the figure, the more heat is blocked.

The correct combination will vary according to the type of home you have, the direction of the windows and the amount of sunlight that each side gets.

Your Windows May Be Telling You It’s Time

It isn't necessary to replace every older window at once. However, there are a number of common warning signs which homeowners should not ignore.

You may want to consider replacement if you notice:

• Noticeable drafts around closed windows

• Condensation or fog trapped between panes

• Windows that are difficult to open, close or lock

• Damaged or deteriorating frames

• Rooms that become significantly hotter or colder than the rest of the house

• Excessive outside noise

• Rising heating and cooling costs

• Cold glass or uncomfortable areas near windows during winter

In some instances it is sufficient to seal or repair the window that already exists; in other cases, however, the deterioration of the glass, the frame or the seals means that replacement is the better long-term option.

The Window Is Only Half the Equation

Even if you purchase one of the most energy-efficient windows that is available you can still become disappointed when it is not installed properly.

The vicinity of a window must be included in the home's weather-resistant envelope, which involves correctly sizing the opening, insulating the gaps, air-sealing around the frame and flashing the outside portion so that water runs off rather than getting into the wall.

Wrong installation can lead to air leaks and moisture issues which nullify a great many of the benefits of having a new window.

That is why it is important to select the correct product and the correct installer.

Can New Windows Really Reduce Your Energy Bills?

They might—however homeowners should be realistic regarding what windows are intended to achieve.

The National Fenestration Rating Council points out that it is possible to reduce household utility bills by an average of about 13% when old windows are replaced with ENERGY STAR-certified ones, although the actual amount saved will depend greatly on the condition of the existing windows, the type of home, energy prices and the products that are installed.

Energy savings are also part of the value.

New windows can also provide you with a number of benefits that you can experience on a daily basis, such as fewer drafts, less outside noise, an improved curb appeal, easier operation, and a house which just feels more comfortable when the Nebraska weather becomes either very hot or very cold.

Windows Built for the Way We Live in Central Nebraska

A window which works well in a mild climate need not be the best option for Central Nebraska.

The windows have to cope with the summer sun, winter cold, wind, and the large temperature variations that occur over the course of the year and selecting the appropriate glass package, frame and efficiency ratings for your specific house can make a real difference.

We at Thriv Construction provide homeowners across Central Nebraska with window replacement and installation, including work with reliable brands such as Andersen and Pella.

No matter whether your main issue is the bedroom becoming an oven every afternoon, the living room feeling draughty all winter, or the old windows just needing replacement, we can assist you in finding suitable solutions for your house.

Thinking about replacing your windows? Give us a call at (308) 675-3600 to talk through your options today.