Your windows are probably costing you money. A lot of money — hundreds of dollars a year, in many cases. While we know that sounds like a terrible marketing scare tactic, it’s true: Windows that offer poor or no insulation are driving your energy bills up by ridiculous amounts. Luckily, there are solutions to your problem. Here’s how to choose the most energy efficient window for Vancouver BC.
Two is Better Than One
Many older homes have single pane windows. That means there’s only a single, often thin, sheet of glass, and that’s all that’s between your home and the elements outside.
Single pane windows are terrible insulators. They’re suitable in temperate climates where it never gets too hot or too cold, but Vancouver is known for its cold winters and hot summers. During those colder months, all the warmth in your home is escaping out your thin windows and into the cold night air. In short, single pane glass does not an energy efficient window make.
The solution here is double pane windows. Double pane windows feature two layers of glass separated by a space filled with gas. This air barrier is what traps cold air in winter and hot air in summer.
The initial cost outlay for double pane is, predictably, greater than with single pane. But over the life of the window, the money you save on energy bills more than makes up for it.
The Right Coating for an Energy Efficient Window
Double pane windows are great, but you can take it a step further. Different window coatings can also add insulating properties to your home.
Low-E4 SmartSun glass is the most efficient glass offered by Andersen. It’s 45% more efficient in the winter as an insulator than regular dual pane windows.
There’s no noticeable reduction in the light that gets through the window, meaning you don’t have to worry about living in darkness like with traditional window tinting. It’s also self-cleaning, which is always a nice bonus!
With Low-E4 SmartSun glass and dual pane windows, you can save around 25% on your energy bill over winter and around 18% over the summer.
Do you think you’re spending too much on your energy bill? Contact us today and we’ll see how we can help you save hundreds of dollars a year.
