A Homeowner’s Guide to the Different Types of Energy Efficient Windows

When it comes to saving money on your utility bills by making your home as energy efficient as possible, most folks that I talk to tend to focus on their air conditioners and furnaces, asking me all kinds of questions about things like smart or programmable thermostats. Those things are all very important, to be sure. There is, however, a whole other way to make your home more energy efficient, and to lower your utility bills while you’re at it. That way is pretty simple, too: your windows.

I think some folks who don’t know all that much about windows tend to think that they’re all created equal—but that is just not the case. There are actually many different types of energy efficient options to choose from if you are installing new windows for your home, some of which will ultimately fit your home and your family’s individual needs better than the other models might.

That’s actually what I’d like to talk about with you here today: The many types of energy efficient windows that may be a fit for your Sacramento area home, and why you should know as much as you can about them—and how to get help to pay for them. I think it’s just something that all homeowners should know a little bit more about, even if you don’t expect to need new windows any time soon. Let’s take a look!

The One Thing You Must Know About the Different Types of Energy Efficient Windows

The variety in the window market can be overwhelming for the untrained homeowner, but there’s one decision you can make right away that will simplify things. When it comes to browsing types of energy efficient windows, you should only consider double pane windows—never single pane. Simply put, double pane windows are in all likelihood going to be your best option. The challenge then becomes become the brand, frame, and other specifications.

When it comes to browsing types of energy efficient windows, you should only consider double pane windows—never single pane.

For those who don’t know, energy efficient-certified double pane windows are made up of two panes of glass, either tempered or laminated, held in a single frame. But rather than sitting tight against one another, the panes are separated. This cavity between them, which is created by spacers, is either a sealed vacuum or is filled with a non-toxic gas like argon. The size of this cavity depends on the crafting of the window, but typically ranges from a quarter to three-quarters of an inch thick.

Now, in terms of finding the right double pane windows to make your home more energy efficient, that’s where I highly recommend calling in a local window company with experience doing custom work. They’ll have all the answers you need to get a perfect fit for your home.

The Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows—Regardless of the Type

The next thing that all homeowners should know is how all of the different types of energy efficient windows benefit their homes, specifically as it applies to double pane windows. The most immediate and obvious benefit of investing in double pane windows is increased temperature regulation. Many of the homeowners I talk with who go this route just cannot get over the difference. They’re used to wearing several layers of clothing in the winter and living in front of the fan in the summer months because of uneven heating or cooling, so being comfortable at home year round is something totally new.

The most immediate and obvious benefit of investing in double pane windows is increased temperature regulation.

While you may think that having two panes of glass instead of one is more effective at keeping out the winter chill or heat of the summer, the cavity between the two panes is actually responsible for this. This vacuum or gas-filled space actually slows the transfer of heat, keeping the warm air out in the summer months and preventing it from escaping in the chilly winter. It’s a huge difference, one with big benefits for both your budget and your comfort.

Financing Options for All Types of Energy Efficient Windows

Now, we’ve talked in the past about whether or not homeowners in our area can get help paying for new, energy efficient windows, and the answer is a resounding yes. In Northern California, there are multiple financing options available to help homeowners who would like to make investments in energy efficient home upgrades, like double pane windows.

An experienced local window contractor in our area will be able to not only help you navigate applying for these programs, but then also help you get the work done right.

Now, you may have heard of some of these programs, like HERO financing, PACE financing, SMUD, Ygrene energy efficiency, and California First. They’re all similar in that they allow you to take out an interest-free loan that you pay back through your taxes in order to make energy efficiency upgrades. But, they also all have small differences that you need to be aware of. An experienced local window contractor in our area will be able to not only help you navigate applying for these programs, but then also help you get the work done right. I highly recommend working with a contractor on your new window project from day one.

So, there you have it… everything you need to know about the different types of energy efficient windows for your home. There’s really only one crucial option for you to go with, though—dual pane windows. But once you get into the project, you’ll have to make individual choices about everything from the brand to the material in the frame. That’s where an experienced custom window installation expert comes in.

Here at Bell Brothers, we’ve been helping homeowners just like you pick out new windows in the Sacramento area for many years. We can help answer any other questions you might have about energy efficient window choices, and we can also help you navigate the sometimes tricky world of financing options available to you.

At Bell Brothers, our trained installation professionals would be delighted to help you select and install all the different types of energy efficient windows that can improve your home’s energy efficiency. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and to get answers to your questions about custom replacement windows cost.

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