February 2010 HOME GUIDE 5 Energy Savers Tips Windows Windows can be one of your home's most attractive features. Windows provide views, daylighting, ventilation, and solar heating in the winter. Unfortunately, they can also account for 10 percent to 25 percent of your heating bill. During the summer, your air conditioner must work harder to cool hot air from sunny windows. Install ENERGY STAR windows and use curtains and shade to give your air conditioner and energy bill a break. If you live in the Sun Belt, look into low-e windows, which can cut the cooling load by 10 percent to 15 percent. If your home has single-pane windows, as many U.S. homes do, consider replacing them with new double-pane windows with high-performance glass (e.g., lowe or spectrally selective). In colder climates, select windows that are gas filled with low emissivity (low-e) coatings on the glass to reduce heat loss. In warmer climates, select windows with spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat gain. If you are building a new home, you can offset some of the cost of installing more efficient windows because they allow you to buy smaller, less expensive heating and cooling equipment. If you decide not to replace your windows, the simpler, less costly measures listed here can improve their performance. storm windows, if necessary. ter and outside during the summer. Warm-Climate Window Tips or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. facing windows during the day. facing windows. films on south-facing windows to reduce solar gain. Shopping Tips for Windows rebates or other financial incentives are available for window replacement. least two panes of glass and a low-e (low emissivity) coating. the better the insulation. In colder climates, focus on finding a low U-factor. duce heat gain. In warm climates, look for a low SHGC. ing and cooling seasons, select windows with both low U-factors and low SHGCs to maximize energy savings. SHGCs, rather than center-of-glass, or COG, U-factors and SHGCs. Whole-unit numbers more accurately reflect the energy performance of the entire product. trained professionals. Be sure they're installed according to manufacturer's instructions; otherwise, your warranty may be void. Cold-Climate Window Tips tic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months. Remember, the plastic must be sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration. dow shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing. night; open them during the day. your house clean to let in the winter sun. windows; storm windows can reduce heat loss through the windows by 25 percent to 50 percent. Storm windows should have weatherstripping at all movable joints; be made of strong, durable materials; and have interlocking or overlapping joints. Low-e storm windows save even more energy. Long-Term Savings Tip Installing, high-performance windows will improve your home's energy performance. While it may take many years for new windows to pay off in energy savings, the benefits of added comfort and improved aesthetics and functionality may make the investment worth it to you. Many window technologies are available that are worth considering. Efficient windows may have two or more panes of glass, warm-edge spacers between the window panes, improved framing materials, and low-e coating(s), which are microscopically thin coatings that help keep heat inside during the win-