Energy efficient windows technology was already moving beyond better insulation in 2014.
Let’s talk about energy efficient window technology because it works to save you on energy and for the wallet. Manufacturers are adding rain sensors, smart locking systems and advanced glass designed to reduce heating and cooling demand while improving comfort and security.
Energy efficient Smart Window technology Added More Than Insulation
The most innovational upgrade to Andersen Windows recently features high-tech smart windows that just came out (can tell you if your window is open or closed (locked or unlocked) and automatically close them when it rains.
From Andersen Windows, here are some of the “What’s New in Windows” as we approach home remodeling and building season:
Automatically Closes in Rain— Andersen’s automatic operator is built into the window frame and comes with a wall-mounted controller and a handheld remote that controls up to four windows — and a sensor that closes the window when it starts to rain. It’s available on Andersen’s 400 Series and A-Series awnings.
Alerts When Windows are Unlocked— It’s a first-of-its-kind system called Verilock that allows security alarms to alert homeowners if their windows or doors are unlocked. Sensors are embedded in the window from the factory. This helps with both securities as well as energy efficiency (an unlocked window is not as efficient).
High End, Design-Focused Windows that are Most Energy Efficient in 110 years.
Andersen’s A-Series is the most energy-efficient product Andersen has built in its 110-year history — and comes in virtually any architectural style. It’s high-end and beautiful and also comes with a style library — http://www.andersenwindows.com/home-styles/ — that helps homeowners connect the right style of home with the right window.
High Tech Glass — Andersen’s SmartSun glass rejects unwanted solar heat from the sun while at the same time allowing sunlight to stream through. With its other attributes that save energy, it can reduce heating and cooling costs.
Energy-Efficient Window Design Improves the Entire Home
Energy-efficient window technology matters because windows affect comfort, heating loads, cooling loads, and air leakage all at once. In fact, older or poorly sealed windows can become one of the weakest parts of a home’s thermal envelope.
For homeowners, replacing inefficient windows can improve both energy performance and everyday comfort. Modern windows use technologies such as double- or triple-pane glass, insulated frames, low-emissivity coatings, warm-edge spacers, and insulating gases between panes. Together, these features help slow unwanted heat transfer through the glass and frame.
Energy Efficient Window Technology Reduces Heating and Cooling Loads
During winter, efficient windows help keep valuable heat inside the home. Therefore, the heating system does not have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.
In summer, the equation reverses. Low-E coatings and properly selected glazing can reduce the amount of unwanted solar heat entering the house. As a result, air-conditioning systems face a smaller cooling load.
That reduction matters. Heating and cooling represent a major share of household energy consumption. Consequently, improving the building envelope can reduce energy demand before homeowners even consider upgrading their HVAC equipment.
Comfort Matters Too
However, energy savings tell only part of the story.
Anyone who has sat next to an old single-pane window on a freezing winter night understands the comfort problem. Cold glass surfaces can make an area feel uncomfortable even when the thermostat says the room is warm.
High-performance windows create warmer interior glass temperatures during cold weather. Meanwhile, better seals can reduce drafts around window frames. Rooms can consequently feel more consistent from one side of the house to another.
Air Leakage Can Waste Energy
Windows also matter because uncontrolled air leakage forces heating and cooling equipment to compensate for outside air entering the house.
New windows with quality weatherstripping and proper installation can help tighten the building envelope. Yet installation remains critical. Even an expensive ENERGY STAR-rated window cannot deliver its full potential when installers leave gaps around the frame or fail to properly air-seal the opening.
Therefore, homeowners should consider the entire installation system rather than focusing exclusively on the glass.
Window Technology Keeps Improving
Today’s high-performance windows combine several technologies into one building component. Low-E coatings manage radiant heat. Multiple panes create insulating spaces. Argon or krypton gas can further reduce heat transfer. Improved frame materials also limit thermal bridging.
Moreover, homeowners can select windows based on climate and orientation. A window facing intense afternoon sun may require different performance characteristics than one facing north.
That is why ratings such as U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient matter. A lower U-factor generally indicates better resistance to heat transfer. Meanwhile, the appropriate solar heat gain coefficient depends on climate, orientation, shading, and the home’s overall design.
Energy Efficiency Starts With the Building Envelope
Ultimately, efficient windows become part of a larger strategy.
Insulation matters. Air sealing matters. Roofing matters. HVAC efficiency matters too. However, windows sit directly between the conditioned interior and changing outdoor temperatures every day.
For homeowners replacing aging, drafty, or inefficient windows, modern window technology can therefore deliver several benefits at once. Energy consumption may decline. Indoor temperatures can become more consistent. Drafts can decrease. Furthermore, HVAC equipment may have less work to do.
That combination makes energy-efficient windows more than a cosmetic home improvement. They can become an important part of building a more comfortable, resilient, and energy-efficient home.
See their newer guide to energy-efficient windows and savings.
