What The Commercials Don’t Tell You About Replacement Windows
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.
Comments
Replacement windows
While I strongly agree with Gordon's assessment of the window replacement "energy savings guarantees" being highly dubious, the thermal properties of the glass are just part of the equation. When looking at the broader picture of total home performance, air leakage becomes paramount. This is one area where new, high quality replacement windows far surpass the old combo units. Manufacturers such as Gorell and others make excellent vinyl windows that are air tight and offer highly efficient glass packages as well. I would suggest checking out other forums and blogs such as those mentioned above to do further research. There is definitely a vast difference in quality between high and low end window offerings, in addition to the fact that window replacement really should be prioritized properly in the grand scheme of home performance.
Gorell windows
As far as windows go - there is the good, better, and best out there. Of course people are going to purchase what they can afford, also some people do not think about quality and paying more now to save more money in the long run over time. If you are looking at getting new windows for your home, replacements or for a new construction, simply get a company that deals with Gorell windows to show you a demonstration. We had US Home Exteriors to come out and show us the difference between 6 brands and compared all to the Gorell windows. The Gorell windows are just amazing and look very good in appearence as well. The guy took a heat lamp of 250 watts, put it against the glass of all brands and it was just as hot through all of the glasses except for the Gorell windows, we could not feel any heat at all! I am in construction work for a living but never new that Gorell was this good. The security of Gorell windows are very impressive also. I am sold on Gorell windows, call them and see for your self - instead of reading forums and taking my word for it!
Yes, you can to be careful
Yes, you can to be careful with what your buying. Just like with everything else.
I also beg to differ with
I also beg to differ with the home inspector. Glass technology may not have changed much in 2000 years...but window manufacturers keep turning out better products. A quality replacement window is not only the glass, but what is called an IGU. (integrated glass unit.) The frame, seals, insulating gas, vinyl, (no crack, chip, pop, or fade), is just as important as the glass. This is why you should ALWAYS demand a LABOR and material warranty. If a super insulated window is broken, you can't simply call a plate glass compnay to come and make you another piece of glass to fit in your frame. They do not have that expertise!
As for a "50% guaranteed" utility bill drop due to new windows..that is marketing, pure and simple. I could make a guarantee of 60%! Sound good? Read the fine print. "50% guaranteed, first year, up to maximum of $500.00. I simply could charge you an extra $100 for each window, and put that in a savings account..and make money. ...Maybe 3% payout? Common sense folks. That being said, NO ONE can guarantee your savings with certainty. (too many variables.) I can however, report that my AVERAGE homeowner saves approx. 35% on heating/cooling savings...(documented.)
I CAN guarantee that you can sit down with your morning coffee beside your new bay window in the winter...and not feel as though your feet are freezing. (cold air falls!) I can guarantee that my windows will not swell and be hard to open. I can guarantee that vinyl windows will NEVER need painting. I can guarantee that your carpets, drapes, flooring, photographs, and furniture will NOT FADE due to UV rays coming through a typical glass window. (once fading occurs,it's too late.) I can guarantee that my window frame will never ROT, preventing rotted window sills, contributing to mold and mildew growth, and allowing drafts and heat loss to occur, further increasing your energy bills! We also know that utility rates go one direction..up..and will continue to do so.
Still want to keep your 20 year old wood or aluminum frame windows? Still driving that YUGO?..I didn't think so.
I have sold replacement
I have sold replacement residential windows for years...and can adequately demonstrate how a super energy efficent can not only save money but make the home much more comfortable!
Keep in mind that a new home builder uses "builder grade" materials (the lowest grade products at the lowest price), for most homes...unless the homeowner specifies better. This includes carpets, countertops, decking, roofing..and yes...windows. A typical double-pane builder window is two panes of glass separated by as little as a 1/8th inch spacer, using dead air as an insulator...and fastened together with glue and screws. Compare this to a triple pane, super insulated window with three panes of glass, computer heat welded, 1 inch between glass spacing, filled with Krypton Gas, ( larger molecular structure than outside air), an R-5..(or better), rating, and with a lifetime warranty...fully transferable to the next homeowner! A quality window will not sweat, (condensate), will not transfer heat/cold through the frame, and best of all....will pay for itself over a short period of time. Easy choice.
Yes. Good windows cost more initially than builder grade. Why do you have a choice of automobiles? The least expensive car in The U.S. in 1986..was a Yugo. How many of those have you seen lately?..and why? In 1986 you could have purchased a Volvo for more money. How many older volvos do you see on the road?
A favorite Yugo joke is:
Have you heard of thermal
Have you heard of thermal inserts or even chambered window frames? They are the top of the range composite window systems in the UK today and are A-rated for energy efficiency.
Regards,
Kath Vent
Soffits and Fascias
So many homes in So Cal are
Great post
Great post....
Windows
Problem with windows
You need to do more
You need to do more
vinyl windows
vinyl Windows
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vinyl replacement windows
Replacement windows
Replacement windows
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center of glass
New Windows in Alexandria VA
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.
New Windows in Alexandria VA
The accompanied guarantee
The accompanied guarantee