Energy Saving Windows: The Ultimate Guide for Homeowners

When you choose energy efficient home windows, you are ensuring that your property is more energy efficient, environmentally friendly and economical to run.

In short, energy efficient windows make your home more comfortable and a more pleasant place to spend your time.

If you’re looking for the most energy efficient windows but don’t know where to start, this article is for you!

We’ll explain what energy efficient windows are and how they work. We’ll also take you through the types of energy saving windows, including the best performers, and set out the benefits and costs you could save.

Once you’ve reached the end of the article, you’ll have a good idea of the most efficient windows for your home, making it easy to choose the best energy saving windows for your home.

What are energy saving windows?

If you’re looking to reduce energy loss from your home and maintain a consistent temperature inside, choose energy saving windows. They help keep your property warm in winter and cool in summer, so you always feel comfortable, whatever the weather.

Another characteristic of an energy efficient window is that it helps reduce your energy bills and reduces your environmental impact.

Key features of energy efficient windows include heat-retaining double or triple glazing and low-E glass, which reflects heat back into the room.

To help you identify windows that are energy efficient, you’ll need to understand the labels and ratings that indicate their performance.

ENERGY STAR® Label

If you spot this label on a window, you can rest assured that it’s been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as meeting targeted energy performance criteria for distinct climate zones, which go beyond basic building code requirements.

Northern Zone homeowners can save an average of $366 dollars per year on heating and cooling costs by replacing a single pane window with an ENERGY STAR® alternative.

NFRC Ratings

The National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC) provides certification detailing the energy performance of windows, doors and skylights. Their window labels offer a rating according to the following criteria. The first three relate directly to energy efficiency:

• U-Factor. This is a measure of how well the window stops heat from escaping. The lower the number, the more efficient the window is at preventing heat loss. A U-Factor of 0.30 or lower is best for energy efficiency.
• Solar heat gain coefficient. This is how much solar heat the window lets in, with a lower score indicating less heat entering your home – perfect for warm climates. If you’re in a cooler climate, such as Massachusetts or New England, a higher score might be preferable since the window allows in more solar heat to warm your home.
• Air leakage. This score measures how much air enters your home, with the lower score meaning fewer drafts inside.
• Visible transmittance. This is a measure of how well the window allows natural light in.
• Condensation resistance. As the name suggests, this rating measures how well the window stops condensation forming – the higher the number, the better.

How energy efficient windows work

This type of window works by providing a barrier that slows the transfer of heat, so retaining warm air inside your home in the winter and blocking it in the summer.

The type of barrier depends on how your energy efficient window is constructed. These are some of the most common features of energy efficient windows:

• Double or triple glazing, with an insulating gas like krypton or argon between each pane of glass
• Low-E coatings, which consist of a fine metallic layer that reflects heat back into the room while still allowing light through
• Insulated frames, made of materials such as wood, vinyl or fiber that stop the transfer of heat
• Warm edge spacers, which separate the panes and stop energy escaping from around the edges of the window
• Airtight seals, which ensure the window remains tightly shut to prevent drafts from entering your property and warm air escaping

Types of energy efficient windows

Let’s discover more about the most common types of energy efficient windows:

• Double-paned windows. As their name suggests, these are constructed of two panes of glass with an insulating gas inside.
• Triple-paned windows. These windows go one step further, with a third pane of glass to boost energy-saving performance.
• Passive House windows. This type of energy efficient window is considered the benchmark for insulation. Passive House windows combine a number of features to achieve superior energy efficiency. These include triple glazing with insulating gas between individual panes, low-E coating, warm edge spacers and airtight seals. They also have a low U-value, meaning they’re good at preventing the transfer of heat.

Energy saving windows are available in a variety of styles, which can affect their energy efficiency. These include:

• Awning: hinged at the top and opening outwards at the bottom, which makes them great for ventilation.
• Hopper: hinged at the bottom and opening inward, perfect to provide privacy in basements and bathrooms.
• Casement: with a hinge on one side which swings open like a door. These windows have a tight seal, which helps prevent heat transfer.
• Fixed: because these windows don’t open at all, they have a highly efficient seal.
• Bay: These windows project outwards and typically feature a large central window and two smaller side windows.
• Bow: A stylish choice, with the same type of window all the way round the design, creating a stunning feature.
• Double-hung: Upper and lower sashes allow you to open the top section to release warm air or the lower section to allow cool air inside your property.
• Single-hung. Only the bottom sash moves, providing a more cost-effective alternative to double-hung windows.

Not sure which style of energy saving windows is best for your home? Reach out to the team at Plum ProExteriors. We offer many years of experience in fitting energy efficient windows in Massachusetts and New England and can advise on the best option for your home.

The most energy efficient windows on the market

Wondering what are the best windows on the market? Let’s discover some of the best rated energy efficient windows to help you keep energy costs down and comfort levels high.

Triple-paned windows

Triple-paned windows are some of the most insulated windows on the market, offering substantial costs and energy savings to homeowners. A study published in the March 2022 edition of the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Journal found that switching from double paned to triple paned windows can increase the energy efficiency performance of the windows by 40% or more.

What’s more, the new generation of triple paned windows are becoming more affordable and can be retrofitted into double paned frames, making them more accessible than ever before.

Low-E glass

Windows with low-E glass are among the best energy star replacement windows you can find.

Low-E is short for low-emissivity. It means that the surface of the windows emit low levels of heat. This is made possible by applying a special thin layer of metallic material to the window surface that reflects heat while allowing light to enter your property. The result is a comfortable interior environment, which is warm and cozy in winter and cool in summer.

A study by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) found that installing low-E windows can result in around a 10% saving every year in energy costs.

These are two of the most insulated windows available, which can help cut the cost of running a household while helping create a comfortable environment for you and your family to enjoy.

Passive House windows: The gold standard

Another of the best NFRC rated windows are Passive House windows, in fact they are widely considered the gold standard for energy efficiency.

These windows are built to Passive House certification criteria – the world’s premier standard in energy efficient construction.

Passive Houses use only a small amount of energy to achieve a constant and comfortable year-round temperature.

The name is derived from the Passivhaus Institute in Germany, which developed these energy-saving principles.

Achieving Passive House status involves using a range of energy-efficient components, which help seal the house from the elements.

One important component is triple-paned windows with insulated frames. The layers of glass in the windows provide the first level of insulation, while the gas in between the panes adds to this effect. Finally, the insulated frames create a barrier that reduces heat transfer.

Passive House windows cost may be a little higher than double-paned windows, for example, but remember that you can recoup the cost in terms of energy saving over the long-term.

In this way, the best Passive House windows help create a low-energy yet ultra-comfortable home, fit for the future.

Benefits of installing energy efficient windows

Fitting energy saving windows in your home brings a wide range of benefits. Let’s look at these one-by-one:

• Lower energy bills. One of the most immediate benefits will be a reduction in your energy bills. Energy efficient windows help stop heat from escaping outside during the colder months so you won’t need to put the heating on full blast. And in summer, they prevent heat from seeping into the home so your air conditioning won’t have to work so hard.
• Increased home value. Fitting energy efficient windows can help increase the value of your property. According to The Journal of Light Construction, replacing your windows with energy-efficient models can yield an ROI (return on investment) of 63%.
• Reduced carbon footprint. When you switch to energy saving windows, you’re not just doing yourself a favor – you’re helping the environment too. Energy consumption is lower and so HVAC systems don’t have to work as hard.
• More comfortable home environment. Energy efficient windows reflect heat in summer and lock it in during the winter, reduce drafts and condensation and help maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature all year round.
• Future-proof your home. Energy saving windows mean that your home will be fit for purpose for many years to come and be able to withstand the inevitable changes brought about by climate change.
• Noise reduction. Choosing double- or triple-paned windows naturally helps to cut down on noise from outside filtering through to your home.
• UV protection. Energy saving windows can also help block UV rays that can speed deterioration of your furniture or fittings and even pose a health risk.

Energy efficient windows costs and ROI

Thermal windows cost will vary according to how many windows you are replacing, the size of your house, the style of windows you go for and their quality.

• Energy-efficient windows cost an average of between $150 and $4,000. The cost of a whole-house replacement project varies between $6,685 to $33,425 depending on the number of windows replaced.
• Double-pane windows will set you back $150-$1,290 while triple-pane windows cost $400-$3,540.
• When you replace single-paned windows with ENERGY STAR®-certified windows, you could save you $101-$583 in energy costs per year. You could also qualify for federal tax credits of up to 30% of your project costs, up to a maximum pay-back $600.
• To know more about federal tax credits for energy saving windows, check out this guide on the ENERGY STAR® website. As a rule of thumb, you can claim for 30% of the cost of your windows, up to a maximum of $600. Windows must meet the ENERGY STAR® ‘Most Efficient’ criteria.

Bear in mind that ultra-specialist windows, such as Passive House windows cost, may be a little higher than the average.

Rest assured that whatever your outlay, choosing energy saving windows will make savings in terms of lowering energy bills and increasing your property’s value, as we’ve touched on in the section above.

Your level of ROI will depend on a variety of factors, such as your climate zone (colder climates like Massachusetts will see a higher ROI) and what sort of window you opt for – triple-paned models will yield a higher ROI than double-paned windows, for example.

If you’d like a free, no obligation for energy efficiency windows, get in touch with us here at Plum ProExteriors. We can advise on the most efficient windows for your home with a quote that’s tailored just for you!

Best energy efficient windows for Massachusetts homes

The climate in Massachusetts means hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. For this reason, energy saving windows are a must to ensure that the interior of your home remains comfortable all year round.

Look for the following features:

• ENERGY STAR® certification for the Northern Climate Zone
• Low U-factor to minimize heat loss
• High solar heat gain coefficient to allow sunlight to warm your home in winter
• Low-E glass to reflect heat back into your home during winter
• Triple-paned windows for superior energy efficiency

As for materials, vinyl, wood and fiber are all excellent options which will enhance your windows’ insulating properties.

How to choose the best energy saving windows

When searching for your ideal windows, consider the following factors:

• Check out the ENERGY STAR® and NFRC labels.
• If your concern is heat retention in winter, choose gas-filled windows with low-E. coatings and low-U factor to minimize heat loss.
• If your focus is keeping cooler in summer, opt for windows with metallic coatings and a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) to reduce heat gain.
• For a typical Massachusetts or New England climate, you may wish to go for windows which have both low U-factors and low SHGCs to optimize energy savings in a zone that has both warm and cold seasons.
• Get advice from an experienced local company, such as Plum ProExteriors. We’re specialists in a wide range of exterior remodeling projects, including window replacement – you can count on us!

Energy efficient windows Boston and beyond!

Replacing your windows is a major investment in your property. Choosing energy efficient windows Nahant MA, or wherever you are based in Massachusetts or New England, is the smart choice. You’ll save energy and money, create a cozier home environment and increase the value of your home too!

The next step is to give the friendly team at Plum ProExteriors a call – we’re here to guide you on making the right choice for great value, energy efficient windows!