If you’re like most people shopping for replacement windows in San Diego, you want to get the best deal possible. Replacement windows are expensive, and even the cheapest ones on the market can set you back several thousands of dollars, when you factor in installation services. When you’re on a budget, you might have to make some sacrifices, and compromise on things you want, but don’t actually need, such as decorative features. One thing you shouldn’t compromise on, however, is buying windows with energy-saving technology built in.
Energy-efficient features are the elements in your windows that will help insulate your home from outside temperatures. When your home is better insulated, you save money on heating and cooling costs.
Here are some of the features that you’ll find in energy-efficient replacement windows:
- Framing materials, such as vinyl or fiberglass, that discourage heat transfer
- Two panes of glass
- Low-E glass that has a reflective coating to keep out heat, as well as UV rays
- A warm edge spacer in between the two panes of glass
So how do you find replacement windows in San Diego that are energy efficient? The easiest way is to look for windows that carry the ENERY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR is a program that is under the federal government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program has standardized metrics for analyzing the energy efficiency of various products, including replacement windows and doors.
Any window or door product that is ENERGY STAR certified will have the blue ENERGY STAR sticker on it. If you go to a showroom and none of the windows have the ENERGY STAR sticker, be sure to ask about it. If you are working with a replacement window company in San Diego that doesn’t have full-sized samples of the products they sell (like companies that only do in-home sales), ask them to provide you with documentation that shows the windows they sell are ENERGY STAR certified.
Not only will ENERGY STAR certified windows and doors help you save money on you monthly energy costs by better insulating your home, they can also qualify you for tax credits from the government or rebates from your local utility company.
As you shop for replacement windows and doors in San Diego, be a smart consumer. Do your research and don’t settle for products that don’t meet the minimum requirements for energy efficiency. If it’s within your budget, opt for windows and doors that exceed ENERGY STAR standards for even better performance and more energy savings. Finally, make sure you have them installed by professional window and door installers!
