How Your Windows Affect Your Electric Bill

When you see that high winter heating bill, you start thinking about what might be the root cause. You might think the winter’s been colder and you’ve been running the thermostat more. Or maybe you decided not to put on a sweater and instead turned up the heat. But did you know that drafty windows could be a source of heat loss, adding to your electric bill?

The reality is that windows can account for up to half of your heating and cooling costs. Poor window insulation can lead to tons of warm air leaking out of your home, leading to higher heating costs in the winter, and the reverse is true in the summer if you’re running your air conditioning.

At Calaway Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve learned about how your windows affect your electric bill in St. George, UT through our extensive experience in the business. Let’s look at the basics on how windows can raise or lower your heating costs.

Energy efficiency

If you’re looking to buy new windows to improve your home’s energy usage, it’s a smart idea to check out the window’s energy rating. This rating comes from window manufacturers and has several different factors. These include:

• Solar heat gain coefficient: This measures the amount of sunlight that is transferred from the windows to the inside of your home.
• R-value: This rating determines how well the window is insulated. A higher R-value equals a window with better insulation for keeping heated air indoors.
• U-value: This rating is related to the window’s capacity for conducting heat. A lower U-value equals less heat being transferred through the glass, which can be useful if you’re looking to lower your air conditioning costs in the summer.

An Energy Star label is another good thing to look for. This label is given by the U.S. Department of Energy to windows that are graded to be 15 to 40 percent more effective than those more frequently used in home construction.

Single-pane windows vs. double-pane windows

Many homes have single-pane windows installed. These don’t do a great job at keeping heat inside during the winter or cooler air inside during the summer. In contrast, double-pane windows are more effective due to insulating gases like argon and krypton that are placed between the two panes. These gases, which are denser than air, make the double-pane variant a preferable option and can lower your heating and cooling costs by up to 40 percent.

We hope you found these tips on how your windows affect your electric bill in St. George, UT to be helpful. Here at Calaway Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve been helping customers keep their homes comfortable for more than 20 years. We do it all, from installation to repair and maintenance.

Give us a call today at 435-652-6338 for more information about how we can serve you and keep your heating system in peak condition. Whether it’s a matter of finding sources of heat transfer or just tuning up your furnace, we look forward to assisting you soon!

Categorised in: HVAC Contractor

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