Replacing your old windows doesn’t have to be just for show. While they can enhance your home décor, you should ultimately view your Houston, TX replacement windows as an investment that will not only increase the value of your property in the city (sometimes by as much as $11,000), but one which will make your home life easier and less expensive over time. You can start to get these benefits by making sure that your replacement windows have been certified with the Energy Star label.
Energy Star certified windows can save home owners anywhere between $125 and $450 annually, according to the United States Department of Energy. This is because Energy Star windows do a better job of filtering out solar radiation than older windows do. The result is that your air conditioning units won’t need to work as hard to cool your home on hot days. For Houston residents who might find that they face many hot days throughout the year, this is a particularly attractive feature.
When you’re scanning the market for energy efficient windows, the thing you should most be on the lookout for is the solar heat gain coefficient. This is the measurement of how efficient the windows are in keeping out solar radiation. The lower the number is, the lower the amount of solar radiation the windows will let into your home. For cooler climates, a number that is too low probably isn’t the best choice, but for areas with hot climates, such as Houston, it’s ideal. A low number will keep your home cool and comfortable for most of the year.
The search for energy bill savings and a cooler, more comfortable home doesn’t need to end with Energy Star windows, though. Replacement windows also offer choices of different materials that can help you live more comfortably and less expensively. For example, if you currently have wood or aluminum windows, you might also be paying higher energy bills and living in a hotter home during the summer, because those materials heat up more quickly than vinyl or fiberglass windows do. Replacement vinyl or fiberglass windows with the Energy Star label should be able to help lower your energy costs even further, and better, these materials can be made to look like wood, keeping an elegant décor for your home if you prefer the appearance that wood windows provide.
If you’re thinking about installing Houston, TX replacement windows and desire to have expert consultation about the best choice for your home, please don’t hesitate to contact Milestone Windows & Doors.
