Tag: Energy Star

Nashville’s Best Vinyl Replacement Windows. Energy Efficiency

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A new national survey notes an interesting return to aesthetics being more important than energy efficiency in the consumers decision making process with regards to vinyl replacement windows. I believe there are two reasons for the shift. First, there may be some level of expectation that most products provide enhanced levels of energy efficiency because of the governments stimulus tax credit. Many manufacturers, because of the stringency of the requirements, scampered to find products that qualified. The other reason for the change is that the higher end consumer, who previously considered vinyl a lesser quality product and would only look at high cost wood and clad windows, now, because of the economic realities, are ready to look at vinyl as a lower cost, more energy efficient, alternative. Aesthetics have always been a driving force in that customers decision-making process.

Vinyl windows have been around for over thirty years, realizing more and more acceptance from consumers for various reasons. Many focus group studies have been undertaken by various manufacturers and one of the most interesting things that has been learned is that the one main thing that consumers that have otherwise loved their vinyl windows didnt like was the fact that they had to give up glass viewing area. Unfortunately, most manufacturers dont talk about that issue with the customer because of structural decisions that have required their vinyl extrusions to be big and boxy, leaving the customer to notice it only AFTER their windows are installed and too late to make a change. One of the reasons that so many products have big, bulky extrusions has to do with the increased necessity of energy efficient mainframes to meet Energy Star guidelines. Some manufacturers have made the investment in products that, in essence, allow you to have your cake and eat it too.
One of the interesting things about vinyl is that it shares a couple of properties of steel. One of the properties is that every 90 bend in vinyl increases its structural integrity. Many of the bulky, boxy mainframes available use many 90 bends for structural strength, but this increases the overall bulk of the product. The aesthetics conscious consumer is looking for a product that combines looks structure and energy efficiency.

One rarely discussed difference in products is the variations in the white color. Most customers that have white trim have painters white. Many manufacturers, including some that have some of the lowest advertised prices, still use the original white vinyl color, which has a blue or black tint to it. Again, this typically is not discussed at the time of purchase and is only discovered after the products are installed, too late to make a change. Make sure the home improvement consultant matches their white to your white.

Choosing An Energy Star Home

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When you make the decision to build a new home, you want a builder who will provide the highest quality at an affordable price. Many Knoxville home builders can offer competitive prices but when you are investing in a new home, you want the best. Home ownership is a great investment, but it can also cost a lot of money over the years. You can save in future ownership costs if you choose a builder who can build an Energy Star qualified home.

What Is Energy Star?
Energy Star is an international, governmental standard for energy efficiency in consumer products. When you own an Energy Star home, you have a home that performs better than most homes in America. Your cost of upkeep and ownership is reduced, and your home will last longer without the need for repairs.

What Makes a Home Energy Star Qualified?
Energy Star homes have higher standards for insulation and water management. In an Energy Star home the walls, floors, and ceilings are all tightly sealed and properly insulated to reduce drafts and leaks. Proper insulation not only provides lower energy costs, but also better air quality. Energy Star homes will have protection from more pollen and dust then regular homes.
Energy Star homes also must have efficient water management systems. There must be a way to direct water off of the roof and away from the foundation. This keeps your roof in better condition for longer, and protects the foundation from water damage.

If you are building a new home, your quality of life and cost of ownership will be improved if you invest in and Energy Star home. Many Knoxville home builders can build you a decent home, but if you want the best, find a builder who can give you an Energy Star qualified home.

How Much Money Can Energy-efficient Windows Really Save You

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Some homeowners are reluctantly putting off the decision to replace their windows because they’re not sure if they will recoup their initial investment. Still others are putting the decision off until they see what’s going to happen with the economy.

Is replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows really worth the investment? How much money replacement windows will save a homeowner depends, of course, on numerous factors. At the top of the list is the type of window you choose and there are plenty to choose from. There are single-panes, double-panes, and triple-panes. There are coated and uncoated windows. There are windows with hard coating and windows with soft coating. There are windows will gas filling and there are windows without gas filling. Some windows are filled with Argon, some are filled with Krypton. Decisions. Decisions. Where does a savvy homeowner begin?

You don’t need to be Einstein to deduce that dual-paned windows will save a homeowner more money on their energy bills than single-paned windows. But does the same hold true with triple-paned windows? Will triple-paned windows save you more money than dual-paned windows? Here’s what Energy Star, a government agency which promotes energy efficiency, says: “All energy efficient windows have at least two panes, but not all double-paned windows are energy efficient. Twenty years ago, double-paned meant energy efficient; today, advanced technologies have enabled the development of windows that are much more efficient than traditional clear-glass double-paned windows.”

Just as a dual-paned window is much more energy-efficient than a single-paned window, so also a triple-paned window is much more energy-efficient than a dual-paned window. But what are some of these “advanced technologies” that Energy Star is referring to?

There are four things to look for when choosing an energy-efficient window:

1. The layers of reflective glass coating.
2. The type of reflective glass coating.
3. The type of gas used between the window panes.
4. The U-Value of the window.

Once you find a triple-paned window that is manufactured by a reputable company, you have narrowed the playing field considerably. Now you need to consider whether the window panes are coated, how many layers of coating the manufacturer uses, and the type of coating they use. Some windows are coated with a reflective coating, while others are not. By selecting a window with coated glass, the coating will reflect unwanted cold in the winter and unwanted heat in the summer, thereby reducing your fuel costs and saving you money.

But not all reflective coating is created equal. Also bear in mind that most window manufacturers only coat one pane of glass. Few window manufacturers are willing to go the extra mile by coating two panes of glass. Naturally, this will increase the initial cost of the window. Nevertheless, this extra coating will usually pay for itself in savings many times over. Once you have found a triple-paned window that coats two panes of glass instead of just one, you will have eliminated most of the windows on the market. But your search for optimal energy efficiency is not quite complete yet. Patience, dear reader; we’re almost at the finish line.

The next thing to consider is whether or not the window manufacturer uses hard coating or soft coating. Soft coating is much better because it is more reflective. So why doesn’t every manufacturer use soft coating on their windows? Again, soft coating costs a little more. But investing a little more for soft coating will usually pay for itself many times over.

Insulation can be further improved by placing inert gas between the panes of glass. Some manufacturers use Krypton, most use Argon. Again, Krypton costs a bit more than Argon, but the extra savings that come from Krypton gas is well worth it.

The exact energy efficiency of a window can be scientifically measured by a trained window expert. It’s a smart idea to have a trained professional measure the energy efficiency of your current windows. Some say, “I don’t need to replace my windows. My home is just a few years old.” That may be true. However, some homebuilders try to cut costs by installing cheap windows that are not as energy-efficient as they could and should be. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Have an expert measure your windows for energy efficiency. Usually, there is no cost or obligation for this free service.

Once you’ve checked around and are ready to get a free estimate on your windows, be sure to ask the representative for the exact U-Value of the window you are considering. The official standard of measurement for energy efficiency is called a U-Value, also known as a U-Factor. The lower the U-Value, the more energy-efficient the window is. Here is a sampling of a few popular windows and their U-Values:

Alside (Vinyl): 6000 Double Hung 0.30

Alside (Vinyl): R601 Double Hung 0.33

Andersen (Wood): Woodwright (Low-E & Argon) 0.33

Preservation: 9001/P601 0.30

Anderson (Wood): A series Double hung 0.31

Marvin (Ultrex): Integrity (Low-E & Argon) 0.29

Marvin (Ultrex): Infinity (Low-E & Argon) 0.29

Pella (Wood): Proline (Low-E & Argon) 0.32

If you are considering replacing your windows with any of these popular brands, be sure to ask the representative these four following questions:

1. Do you use multiple layers of soft coating on two panes?
2. Do you fill those panes with a gas?
3. (If yes) Do you use Argon or Krypton gas filling?
4. What is the U-Value of your window?

The answer to the first three questions ultimately determines the U-Value of the window. Therefore, question number four is the most important. The U-Value will tell you how energy efficient a window is and give you an idea of how much money you’ll be able to save on your energy bills. The lower the U-Value, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value. One window, though not as well-known as Andersen, Pella, or Marvin, has been able to achieve an incredibly low U-Value precisely because they follow the criteria mentioned in this article. Consider, for example, the U-Value of the Bristol Window, manufactured by Winchester Industries in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania:

Bristol (Reinforced Vinyl, overall window U-Value with Krypton): .18

Bristol (with Alpha-10): .21

According to the company’s literature, this particular window has been known to cut homeowner’s energy bills in half, though the exact savings will naturally vary depending on a wide variety of factors. A window expert can test your windows to find out whether or not they need to be replaced and calculate approximately how much money you will save if your windows do need replacing. By comparing the amount of money a window costs with the amount of money you will save, simple math will determine whether or not it is cost-efficient to replace your windows.

Another thing to consider is a window’s warranty. While most windows are only made to last for approximately 10 years, Bristol windows come with a transferrable 50 year warranty. That’s a huge difference. Instead of replacing your windows 5 times over the next 50 years, you can save additional money by only replacing your windows once.

Look at it this way: The government is giving you a huge head start. One thousand five hundred dollars is nothing to sneeze at. Now consider all the money you will probably save in the meantime. Often, the savings alone will pay for the windows within a few short years. It’s smart to have an energy expert help you do the math. If you still live in a home with energy wasting windows, you will pay for windows whether you replace them or not. The question is, would you rather pay extra money to your utility company for energy-deficient windows? Or would you rather invest in your home’s future value while dramatically reducing your energy bills by replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows? The choice is yours.

Central Heating The Way To Go For Energy Efficiency!

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You have your home all snugly tight with the right amount of insulation in all the right places and you turn on the heat and the room heats up, but… the kitchen is still cold; you need a central heating system of some kind.

The central heating systems are some of the most efficient systems because they generate the heat and then pump it all over the house in the same proportions that you select. That way, the rooms that are being used gets the most heat and the rooms that are not being used gets quite a bit less or none at all depending on their usage.

The central heating system’s boiler or heating unit is contained in the garage or basement and the ducts are run under the house or through the ceiling to come out in each room and you can even add a humidifier or dehumidifier to the entire system to allow those important functions as well. That makes a very good investment in your home and may increase the sales price, if and when necessary, all that much more.

When you are looking for a central heating system for your home, you need to ask yourself some questions that will help the contractor position the correct unit in there that will be big enough but not too big. Those questions would be:

1.Are you in an area that is normally fairly cold or fairly hot?
2.Is your home on a cement pad or is there enough room under it to install the ducting that is needed?
3.Do you want floor vents or wall venting to inject the heating into your individual rooms?
4.Do you need to have ceiling vents?
5.Is your home insulated? Without insulation, you will need a larger unit right from the start.
6.What types of walls do you have?

These and several more will be asked of you by the contractor before they can offer any suggestions and the answers are very important. You are also going to want to check the energy efficiency ratings of the units that you settle on. There are the Energy Star ratings as well as the BTUs ratings and the SEER ratings. These are all very important as they can affect any tax advantages that you may accrue due to the Greening of your home in accordance with many of the local regulations around the world.

Since the most efficient space heater will only have about a 70 -75 % efficiency rating, you are wasting a lot of energy with the system you have, now, and that is just not going to be good enough when the electrical rates start to make the move up that they all are going to do in the next several years, so a move to a much more efficient system is just going to be the right move for you to make.

The energy efficient central heating system is the right move and the savings will not only be with you, this year, but also for years to come and the resale value will only improve. If you are not mad keen on ducted air, then an under floor water heating system would be another very good option to consider.

Reasons Your Mom Wants Soundproof Windows

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When the kids head outside to play, it gives mom time to do other things. She can tackle some chores, soak in a hot bath, or relax and read a book. Sounds great, right? There is just one problem – the peace and quiet is constantly destroyed by the sound of kids yelling and screaming right outside the window.
Even though she knows they are just playing, no mom can relax or focus on a task when the ear piercing cries of her children are reaching her. You know the kids are fine and one of the other kids will be quick to inform you if there is a real problem, but you just cant help being distracted by the racquet. So whats the solution?
A great solution is sound proof windows. Noisy children are just one motive to invest in soundproof windows, though. Here are 7 valid reasons all moms deserve soundproof windows in their home.

7. Eliminate the Sound of Rowdy Children

It really is not necessary to hear the kids taunting and teasing each other or whooping and hollering as they play their games. Its even less necessary to hear the kids next door when they are creating a cacophony of noise. Eliminate that racket with soundproof windows.

6. Shut out Those Noisy Neighbors

Soundproof windows effectively reduce the noise made by your neighbors lawn mowers, stereos, and domestic disputes. Keeping those sounds out will help make your home a more tranquil place to live.

5. Increase Your Homes Value

Odds are you will sell your home some day. Installing sound proof windows increases the value of your home, so not only do you enjoy a quieter, more peaceful place to live, you are making a sound investment in your home.

4. Save on Taxes

When you install Energy Star soundproof windows, you are eligible for tax rebates. You can enjoy the peace and quiet even more when you know you also have a tidy tax savings wrapped up.

3. Increase Energy Efficiency

When you replace older windows with soundproof windows, you not only reduce noise, you also reduce energy costs. Soundproof windows are a great way to help retain heat and energy in your home instead of letting it escape outside.

2. Durable

Soundproof windows are strong and resilient. They often last much longer than other types of windows. You may never have to worry about replacing windows again.

1. Better Quality Sleep

After you install your soundproof windows you may be surprised just how much better you find yourself sleeping. You wont be disturbed by traffic noise, barking dogs, or thunderstorms. Even those noisy garbage trucks wont wake you up in the wee hours of the morning. And lets face it, a mom who gets a good nights sleep and wakes up feeling rested and refreshed is a much happier and more energetic mom. Thats a bonus for the whole family.

Best Ways To Reduce Electric Bill

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If you think that your monthly electric bill becomes burdensome, it is time to cut it. We have some tips to reduce electric bill as well as you save the earth with energy efficiency.

You can start with plan, telling the whole family that you are programming energy efficiency to reduce the electric bill. It will be useless if you yourself save the electricity, but the rest of your family keep using the electronic devices as usual. Ask them that by lowering the use of the energy, especially electricity, they will get two benefits. We can reduce the bill as well as saving the earth.

Then you can start practicing your program with simple things, like switching off lights and electronic devices when they are not in use. Make sure that you unplug those devices from any electricity socket. It is because some of those electronic appliances, like cell phone and laptop battery charger, computers, stereos, televisions, etc. keep consuming electricity even when they are turned off.

Speaking on light, you can change light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs for energy efficiency. Also, let the sunlight come into your rooms during the day instead of using electric ones for lighting.

Pay attention on electronic devices with great energy consumption, like water heater and air conditioner. For water heater, you can lower the temperature from 140 degrees Fahrenheit (normal temperature setting) to 120 degrees. If you look for a new water heater, try to get tank less one which heats the water only when it is needed. Dealing with hot water, we suggest that you take shorter shower with hot water.

Talking about household, we strongly advise that your air conditioner or heater be in good conditions. Any leakage or damage can give bad impact to electric bill and safety in your home. Dishwasher is also a device with high energy consumption. Thus we suggest that you not use the dry cycle. Let the dishes dry naturally by the air. Use washing machine only for lots of laundry.

Then you also had better use your stove more often and reduce the use of oven, if it is possible. Oven consumes more energy to heat. Last but not least, we recommend that you purchase electronic devices with Energy Star. Those devices have been approved as products with energy efficiency. Thus, finally we hope this article useful for you to reduce your monthly electric bill.

Replacement Windows Improve Home Energy Efficiency And Value

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In these days of high energy costs many people recognize the importance of improving the energy efficiency of their homes, especially since heating and cooling can account for up to half of a homes total energy usage. While energy efficient replacement windows will save money on heating and cooling bills, they also have many other benefits such as adding beauty and value to your home, and making your living space more pleasant!

There are many obvious reasons to replace old windows that are rough and worn. Creating a new look for your home from the inside out is possible simply by replacing old windows with new ones. With the many styles of windows that you can choose from, and the variety of colors available, replacing your windows could be the home improvement step that dramatically changes the way your home looks and feels. Whether your new windows let in more light, blend into the background, stand out with a bold exterior contrast of color, or serve as a focal point within your rooms, a new window can defiantly bring excitement into your home.

Besides the pleasing esthetic benefits of replacing your windows, there are many more practical reasons to replace them as well. Over time wood windows may begin to rot and can also warp or become infested with termites. Casement windows may have cranks that stop working or counter weight cords that have broken. Paint or even vinyl on windows can peel with age. Correcting these types of problems is important for the upkeep of your home. With todays more advanced window technology window manufacturers have figured out new ways to make sure that your windows will not only be energy efficient but also incredibly durable. Recent improvements include coatings that may help reduce heat transfer in your home and protect interiors from potentially damaging sunlight that can fade pictures, furniture and carpets.

A not-to-be-overlooked factor that makes replacement windows both important and eminently sensible, is the amount of energy that can be saved when replacing old, drafty or single pane windows with new highly energy efficient multi-pane windows. High efficiency replacement windows will help make your home more energy efficient, and a highly efficient home uses less power for both heating and cooling, which in turn helps you save money. Simply switching single-pane windows to double-pane windows will help decrease high energy bills in the cold winter months by blocking out more of the cold winter air and keeping in more of the warm air heated by your furnace. Likewise the same is true of the cool air generated by your air conditioning unit during the hot summer months.

When determining what replacement windows to use it is wise to follow the recommendations of the Energy Star national energy performance rating system. Replacement windows with an Energy Star label meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy.

ENERGY STAR is a government program under the management of the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help everyone save money and protect the environment by identifying and utilizing energy efficient products and practices. The use of Energy Star approved windows and other household products can save about a third on the average home energy bill without sacrificing style, features or comfort.