Many homeowners, with an interest to preserving fabrics, décor and paint, cover their windows with blinds or curtains and rely on electric lighting, which can be very costly. Although these are good reasons to not let in natural light, it is also a good idea to consider the cost and impact of your energy bills. If you decide that your energy bills may be too high, there are plenty of modern window options that can let in a lot of light (cutting down on electric bills) without letting in the heat or cold.

Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington-based non-profit advocacy group, says that double-pane windows with low-e (emissivity) coating have the potential to reduce heating bills by 34 percent in cold climates, compared with single-pane, uncoated windows. The low-e coating is “spectrally selective,” which means it lets in visible light but blocks radiant heat losses, which ultimately cuts heating bills.

A group of insulation and window manufacturers called the Efficient Window Collaborative says that the argon or krypton gas that high-efficiency double-pane windows use as filler is critical to energy efficiency. The invisible gas filler, used instead of plain air, conducts little heat and helps the windows insulating properties. Many new window technologies not only offer efficiency and effectiveness, but also security.

There are several things to keep in mind when considering different window options:

• A fixed-pane window is the least expensive and the most airtight.
• A window with an aluminum frame is likely to have more conductive heat loss than one with a wood frame.
• Double-pane, low-e windows cost and weigh less than triple-pane, untreated windows, and are just as efficient.
• Different combinations of frame material, frame style and glazing can yield different levels of energy efficiency and cost.
  

Be aware, however, that it does often take an expert to install windows properly. Leakage around windows is very widespread, and, as a result, the American Society for Testing and Materials International has developed industry standards for installation of windows and doors. Also, when buying a home, be sure that your home inspector checks the windows to see whether they operate to the extent that they were designed.

To make a wise purchase for your home, you should first make a list of your heating and cooling needs and establish your priorities for issues such as ventilation, solar heating, day lighting and aesthetic value. You should then do plenty of research, whether on-line or in a store that sells windows and associated supplies, and be sure to be prudent when choosing who is going to install your windows.

As the US Department of Energy states that reducing heat loss or gain in homes often requires replacing or improving the windows, it is definitely in your best interest to evaluate your home’s windows. In lieu of replacing your windows for higher-efficiency models, you can first try several low-cost options. Weather-stripping, caulking, window treatments and retrofit window films will all add to the energy efficiency of your house.

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