A Guide to Choosing the Best Energy-Efficient Windows for Your Home
When looking for replacement windows, the look of your new windows is not the only factor that matters. High-quality, energy-efficient windows offer a range of practical benefits in your home.
Over time, old windows can lose their insulation properties and let heat escape from your home. Newer windows are more likely to use new technologies, which can help with temperature control and lower your energy bills. At Minnesota Rusco, our windows use Low-E coatings and krypton-filled panes to provide the best in energy efficiency. You can also select windows with low U-factors and low SHGCs to cut down on energy costs and improve energy savings and energy performance even more.
Energy-Saving Windows with Minnesota Rusco
At Minnesota Rusco, we pride ourselves on offering superior windows that will benefit our customers for years to come. Our windows come with a variety of modern technologies to prevent heat loss and preserve your home’s internal temperature.
Our windows are made of Low-E glass. This is a coating on the window that reduces heat transfer between both sides of the window pane. Low-E glass helps keep your home at a comfortable temperature by preventing heat loss in cold temperatures. In hot temperatures, it can also help prevent heat from entering. As a result, you won’t need to use your own temperature control system in your home as often, as the window will do some of the work for you.
Our energy-saving windows are also made of krypton gas. Krypton is a colorless gas that is included between panes of glass and acts as a barrier to heat transfer. The gas improves energy efficiency by minimizing heat loss and reducing drafts. Thanks to its barrier effect, it can also make your home quieter.
At Minnesota Rusco, we offer ENERGY STAR-certified windows. These superior energy-efficient windows are certified according to the standards set by the US Department of Energy. Whenever you see the ENERGY STAR logo—whether in double-pane or triple-pane—you’ll know those windows will reduce your energy bills and improve your home’s insulation.
Energy Efficiency Ratings
Two factors to look out for when selecting energy-efficient windows are the U-factor and SHGC. The U-factor measures heat loss or gain through window glass, giving an idea of how well a window prevents heat flow. A low U-factor means better insulation and, therefore, energy efficiency. A higher U-factor means the window is less effective at insulating and is less energy-efficient. Newer windows often come with double or triple glazing, so they have lower U-factors.
Another measure to look out for is a window’s SHGC rating. SHGC stands for Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and measures how much solar radiation passes through a window. A window with a low SHGC score will reduce the amount of heat entering your home from outside, helping you save on cooling bills on a warm day.
The NFRC, or National Fenestration Ratings Council, provides these ratings on windows to help customers compare the efficiency of different products. Minnesota Rusco can help you understand these energy-efficiency ratings to select the best windows for your home.
Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows
Investing in energy-efficient replacement windows will continue to benefit your home for many years after installation.
Cheaper Energy Bills
One of the main advantages of investing in energy-efficient windows is saving money on bills. Energy-saving windows will reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. This means you’ll use your heating or air conditioning less, saving money in the process.
Temperature Control
Thanks to our insulating technologies, your home will effortlessly remain at a more comfortable temperature. Say goodbye to freezing rooms in winter and boiling rooms in summer. With Minnesota Rusco’s energy-efficient replacement windows, your home will remain more consistent, no matter the weather outside.
Better for the Environment
Older windows that are less energy-efficient and have different frame materials or don’t use fiberglass are prone to air leakage and heat transfer. Energy-efficient windows allow you to reduce your energy consumption and your carbon footprint. Investing in energy-saving windows benefits not only your household but the environment, too.
Why Minnesota Rusco?
Minnesota Rusco has been providing high-quality windows, doors, bathrooms, and kitchens since 1955. We serve homeowners in Rochester, Mankato, Owatonna, Saint Cloud, Brainerd Lakes, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Bloomington, as well as other communities in the greater Twin Cities area. Our excellent reputation and customer service come from over half a century of serving our local community.
Our decades of home improvement experience have made us experts in home redesign. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and the quality of our products. You can explore our different types of windows as well such as casement windows, bay windows, custom windows, and more.
To learn more about our leading home windows and how they can help save you money, contact Minnesota Rusco today to schedule a free consultation.
