Windows & Energy
Energy-Efficient Window Treatments
The right window treatment can give your passive energy conservation efforts a huge boost. Window treatments can include see-through solar shades and reflective film to cut down solar gain in hot climates, or thermal drapes and honeycomb fabric shades to fend off winter heat loss. Ideally, window treatment design should do both for maximum impact on heating and cooling costs. Manufacturers have created a wide range ...
Energy-Efficient Residential Windows
Windows are an essential part of any home, but they come at a cost. In exchange for light and beautiful views, homeowners experience significant energy loss and drafts. Newer window designs solve these problems with better design and insulation that can even help heat your home and save energy. Replacing your windows with energy-efficient models can be expensive, however, and you may be able to improve the windows ...
Energy Efficient Glass Windows
You might redesign your house in any number of ways, but you're pretty unlikely to design it without windows. Still, as much as we love the light and views from windows, drafts and heat loss from inefficient glass plague homeowner. Newer window designs provide better insulation and even help heat your home, saving you money and energy. Energy-efficient replacement windows are more a luxury than a necessity, however, ...
How to Make Existing Windows Energy-Efficient
Pleasant as windows might be, they form one of the places where a great deal of heat is lost during the winter, and where heat comes in during the summer. Double-glazing is the obvious way to improve their insulation properties, but it is a relatively expensive investment. There are other simple and relatively inexpensive solutions to improve the energy efficiency of your windows when you are on a tight budget, ...
More Articles on Windows & Energy
Energy-Efficient House Windows
Installing the right windows in your house reduces the amount of energy you use in heating and cooling your home. It is not only an eco-friendly thing to do, but will save you money on your utility bills over time. The exact window you choose depends largely upon where you live. The U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have divided the country into four climate zones, each with different heat-transfer requirements. Windows that meet these requirements come with an Energy Star label that designates the window as approved for a certain region.
Energy Star Ratings on Windows
Windows often allow major losses of heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, requiring more energy -- and more money -- to keep your home comfortable. Replacing old windows with windows that qualify for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, however, can lower your energy bills by 7 to 15 percent through improved design and insulation (see References 1).
Energy Star Efficient Windows
The efficiency of a window refers to its ability to resist heat transfer between the inside and outside environments. The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have developed the Energy Star program for certifying the efficiency of various home products, including windows. Choosing a window with an Energy Star label ensures that the window meets certain guidelines for energy efficiency.
How to Add Window Film for Energy Efficiency
Solar window film is an eco-friendly tool for increasing the energy efficiency of your home. When applied to the inside of your windows, this product reduces the amount of sun glare, heat and ultraviolet rays that enter your home, decreasing your need for energy-consuming air conditioning. (See Reference 1) Though some manufacturers recommend professional installation (See Reference 2), DIY homeowners can purchase window film at home stores and apply it themselves with simple tools. Some films are merely decorative, so buy films with labels indicating that they deflect heat, glare and UV rays.
How to Prevent Runoff on a Sloped Lawn
The average residential property provides only limited opportunity for rainwater to soak in to, or "infiltrate" the soil. Your roof, driveway and patio are all waterproof surfaces. Even your lawn quickly becomes waterlogged at the surface, leaving rain to run downhill and find its way into storm drains as runoff. This wastewater carries many contaminants into waterways, from pet and bird droppings to silt and weed killer residues. You can limit runoff in several ways, even on a sloped lawn. Two of the least intrusive are planting trees or shrubs, or creating a rain garden.
How to Cool Your House Sustainably
Air conditioning uses about 5 percent of the electricity produced in the United States, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (see References 1). However, more sustainable cooling processes can be highly effective. Passive cooling methods take advantage of natural air circulation and heat conduction patterns rather than relying on energy-intensive cooling.
How to Increase Auto A/C Efficiency
Increasing the efficiency of your car's air conditioner during the hottest days of the summer not only saves on fuel, it lowers your carbon emissions and makes your ride more comfortable. Air conditioning systems consume more energy -- by far -- than any other automotive accessory. If you drive an electric car, increasing your AC efficiency also adds to the miles you can expect to drive per battery charge.
