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What The Commercials Don’t Tell You About Replacement Windows

Submitted by Gordon Glidden on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 7:50pm
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  • Topic: Home Maintenance and Safety
  • Topic: Hot Technical Topics

Here in the Detroit area replacement window manufacturers bombard us constantly with enticing deals claiming to save money on our energy bills. We see it on TV, in print and online. "Save up to 50% on your heating and cooling costs by installing our top of the line windows." Wow! Where do I sign up?

But let’s take a step back. Perhaps it is too good to be true. Based on the research I’ve been doing lately in the realm of energy audits, today's top of the line thermal insulated double glazed replacement windows are not much better that yesterday's single pane window with storm windows at keeping the heat in and out. Some of the glass coatings have helped a little, but little is the operative word there. Glass technology has actually not changed much in 2,000 years.

So where do we go from here? First, here’s a short primer on "R-values." The ability of a given material to resist heat transfer from the hot side to the cold side is measured in R-values. The greater the R-value the better insulating qualities that material has. Here in Southeast Michigan, new construction codes say the attic must be insulated to a minimum R-38 (about 12 inches of fiberglass). The walls must be insulated to a minimum R-13 (about 3.5 inches of fiberglass). And the state powers would like to increase those minimums to R-49 and R-19 respectively. Impressive numbers.

Now let's look at window R-values. Replacement windows are rated using their "U-values". Simply put, R-values and U-values are inverse to each other. Replacement window manufacturers say "why use U-values for windows and R-values for about everything else?” Walls are built to stop the outside from coming in while windows are added to allow the outside to come in. Walls stop heat and light - windows pass heat and light. Really simplified - when a person builds a wall they want to know how much of the outside is going to stay outside - and when a person installs a window, they want to know how much of the outside the window is going to allow inside. Walls resist heat flow and R-value measures resistance to heat flow; U-value measures heat flow and windows pass heat."

Energy Star qualified windows must have a U-value of 0.35 or less in the Northern Climate (mostly heating) environment. A U-value of 0.35 is an R-vale of 1/0.35 = 2.9. 2.9!! Put into plain English, those windows are like big holes in the walls. And today's replacements do not do much to improve these holes.

But there is progress. There are triple paned windows. Some glass manufacturers are developing R-11 glass. Coating manufacturers are improving their products, too. There is one window company called Serious Windows that advertises high efficient vinyl replacement windows. It appears to be a good product but I don't know anyone who could afford them.

So now for the bottom line: replace your windows? Yes, but for the convenience; maybe you no longer want separate storms and screens. Yes, because they are rotted, inoperable or have failed seals. Yes, because you have single pane windows. These are all good reasons for window replacement. But replace your windows to save up to 50% on your heating and cooling bills? From where I’m sitting, that’s a siren song of disappointment.

Does anyone disagree? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

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Comments

vinyl replacement windows

Submitted by Gordon Glidden on Wed, 03/10/2010 - 3:07pm.
There is a national manufacturers organization called The National Fenestration Rating Council. Fenestration is derived from fenestra which is Latin for window. There, participating window manufacturers submit their products for certification and ratings. Universal Windows Direct and All Weather Windows are there, but I did not see SIR Home Improvement Windows there. There are other resources: 1st Replacement Window, Replacement Windows, Replacement Window,  & Vinyl Replacement Windows. If you are a member of Consumers Union and receive Consumer Reports, they have window ratings. I'm sure that there are others that I have not come across. I believe the above links will be useful to you.
  • reply

vinyl replacement windows

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 9:10pm.
Greetings, I am following up to an earlier comment.  Thanks very much for your response.  I am trying to compare window companies and wonder if you have any source for doing this. I am looking at Universal Windows Direct - UniShield/Polaris Premium R-9, 3 pane argon filled and All Weather Seal Preservation Energy Maxx R-7, tripple pane argon filled and the SIR Home Improvement windows mentioned in the earlier post. I appreciate any guidance you may provide. Thanks
  • reply

Replacement windows

Submitted by Gordon Glidden on Mon, 02/15/2010 - 6:09pm.
I believe that with that R-value you are getting triple pane windows. Just a guess. I have no knowledge of SIR Home Improvements. They are a member of the Better Business Bureau so I would go to their website and check it out. I also suggest that you contact the MI Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth (DELEG). The DELEG is the state department that licenses workers and companies, and handles complaints. Thermal Industries has been around for almost 50 years, and they were purchased by Atrium very recently. Atrium did between $500M & $1B in sales last year, so they are huge. I would say that Thermal Industries windows appear to be decent windows based on the company age and size. One does not stay in business that long with an inferior product. As far as your Andersen windows go, if I understand you correctly, you got water between the panes of glass when you washed them. This indicates a failed seal, and it will hurt its insulating qualities. Contact Andersen or the installer because it may be covered under their warranty. My Renewal by Andersen windows have a 35 year failed seal warranty (material only). There are companies that say they can fix failed seals. I have no experience with any of those companies. I have heard of one called DeFogit. Check them out.
  • reply

Replacement windows

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/15/2010 - 3:48pm.
I am in mid Michigan and have received quote from SIR Home Improvement on replacement windows..sellebrity Peak performance with U .18 and R 5.5.  Looking at a number of sliders for picture window and to replace Andersons on back of house.  Any history with SIR Home Improvement? Any opinion on the Sellebrity windows made by Thermal Industries part of Atrium? The Andersons have no drafts; however, when I washed them water got between the outside and inside panels.  Is this something to worry about or is there a seal that can replaced? Thanks very much!
  • reply

energy audit

Submitted by Gordon Glidden on Sun, 02/14/2010 - 1:00am.
A home energy audit is a comprehensive review of the house's thermal barrier and appliances by a qualified energy auditor. It should include blower door testing and combustion analysis. An infrared (IR) camera is useful, but not completely necessary. An experienced auditor can observe air leaks without the IR camera. There should be a report with photos that provides existing condition observations, recommendations for improvements, and payback schedules for those improvements. There are two recognized energy audit certification organizations: Building Performance Institute (BPI) and Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). In SE MI a BPI energy audit should cost $350-$500 and a RESNET audit should cost $600-$800.   If DTE Energy or Consumers Energy provides your utilities, you can go to their websites, click on the box that talks about energy savings, and follow the directions. You can do a simple on line audit by answering some house habit questions. You can see up to 24 previous months' bills. You can take advantage of rebates that they offer for residential energy efficiency upgrades. Some upgrades you can do yourself like hot water pipe insulation, low flow showerheads, faucet aerators and compact fluorescent light bults. Other upgrades like insulation, heating and cooling, windows and siding are better left to the professionals.   This summer the federal government and the State of Michigan will roll out programs to finance residential energy efficiency upgrades. Check out HOME STAR and Michigan Saves for more information. Good luck!
  • reply

energy audit

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/13/2010 - 4:07pm.
What should I be looking for in an energy audit?  What should it include?  What should it cost?  I am in mid-Michigan. What improvements can I do myself?  What do I need a professional to do?
  • reply

center of glass

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/13/2010 - 4:06pm.
Why do they measure R-value in the center of the glass?
  • reply

New Windows in Alexandria VA

Submitted by Gordon Glidden on Tue, 02/09/2010 - 11:16pm.

And you should be. The Gorell 5100 Series replacement windows appear to be good windows, have a decent history and will serve you well for many years. They were professionally installed who cleaned up when they were done. You made a good decision. The double hung windows tilt in for cleaning and the sliding windows lift out for cleaning. These are all good qualities that I expect from vinyl replacment windows. In SE Michigan we have similar companies that produce comparable windows.

The Gorell website highlights, with a magnifying glass on the NFRC label, a U-value of 0.22. That is an R-value of 4.5. I believe that U-value is one of their triple pane windows. Do you have triple pane windows? The double pane double hung windows and sliding windows with clear glass have U ratings of .45 to .48. These are R-ratings of 2.0 to 2.1. Any claims of energy bill savings are incorrect unless your house had single pane windows.

Enjoy your new windows, but I anticipate that your energy costs will remain essentially unchanged.

  • reply

New Windows in Alexandria VA

Submitted by New Windows (not verified) on Tue, 02/09/2010 - 2:57pm.
I just had Gorell 5100 Series windows installed in my northern VA home, I am very happy with the outcome.
  • reply

The accompanied guarantee

Submitted by Gordon Glidden on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 7:55pm.
Spot on Jo! If the gas industry ever develops smart meters, then the window manufacturers will have to tweet a different tune.
  • reply

The accompanied guarantee

Submitted by Jo McConnell (US Inspect WASE) (not verified) on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 7:04pm.
One more thing about the accompanying guarantee to save you at least 40% on your heating bill...... Say you heat your house and water with the same energy source (natural gas or electricity) they can easily disclaim how you missed the guarantee by the simple fact it is so difficult to actually seperate out the cost of heating the home vs. heating the water for those needs.
  • reply

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