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How Thermal Windows Improve Your Home’s Comfort
What Are Thermal Windows?
Thermal windows are special energy efficient windows that are designed to slow the passage of heat. Thermal windows have 2-3 panes, and many of them have non-toxic gasses between the panes. Others will have special glass that blocks UV heat from the sun. Together, the panes, gas, and special glass slow heat from passing. This is the case no matter the time of year. In summer, thermal windows block hot outside air from entering your air conditioned home. In winter, they stop heated air from escaping.
Why Does Heat Transfer Matter?
Nature is always looking for balance in temperatures. If your inside temperature is different from the outside, the warm air is going to look for a way to get through and mix with the colder air. If you would like to take a deeper dive in the science behind why and how this happens, you can check out our page on why we use acrylic vs glass.
Heat transfer matters in a more everyday life sense because it affects your wallet and your comfort. Windows are usually responsible for over a quarter of a home’s energy bills. This is especially true if you have older single-pane windows. Older windows do not block outside temperatures well, so you run your heat and AC more often to keep comfortable. In turn, you spend more.
Thermal Windows to the Rescue
This is where thermal windows come in. Thermal windows are several times more energy efficient than single-pane windows and basic double-pane windows. How is the energy efficiency of windows rated? Take a look at how windows are rated based on their ability to slow heat transfer. This is useful information as you begin to look for solutions to your energy efficiency problems. The most efficient windows are going to have the lowest U-value: the closer to 0, the better.
Are Thermal Windows Worth It?
With windows accounting for such a large portion of your energy bills, not acting on your window problem is going to cost you the most over time. But are thermal windows the most cost effective option? Thermal windows can cost up to $850 per window. And it is estimated that thermal windows can save you around 25% on energy bills. As a result, thermal window replacements will pay for themselves over time. Though that may take quite a long time.
Is There a Better Solution?
Many older homes that have their original windows would benefit from upgrading their windows, but replacement projects for multiple windows adds up fast. It’s a huge financial investment. More importantly, replacing original windows can actually harm the historic value of the home. As long as the windows are in good shape and don’t need repair or replacement, there are other solutions to energy efficiency problems.
Storm window inserts can be placed inside the window frame to act as another barrier from the outside. This creates a pocket of air similar to that created by multiple panes in a thermal window. The advantage is the air gap created by installing storm window inserts can be much larger than those between panes of a single window.
Indow window inserts are made with an optical grade acrylic and edged with a silicone compression tube that allows it to fit snugly in your window frame without altering your frame in any way. When your home’s windows are outfitted with Indow inserts, you can save up to 20% on your energy bills. A performance similar to that of energy efficient thermal windows. Indow premium grade inserts are $39, so an average 12 sq. ft. window will cost around $468, nearly half the price as some thermal windows. With similar effects on your energy bills, and drastically different costs, your Indow inserts will pay for themselves much faster than thermal windows will.
To learn more about Indow window inserts’ energy efficiency, read about two tests performed by the Department of Energy and Portland State University: Indow Under the Microscope.
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Indow has established the complete breadth of custom service, from initial enquiry to being very responsive to "after-sales" questions. Ours was and out-of-the ordinary project involving casement windows in a solarium and the end result turned out quite perfectly. Access to information online, instructions arriving with the delivered windows, and answers by phone insured we "enthusiastic amateurs" completed the job to satisfaction.