|
What
you Need to Know Before Making
your Replacement Window Purchase
When
purchasing replacement windows, or for
that matter when you make any purchase
for your home, it is strongly
suggested that you do some research.
The
first step in purchasing replacement
windows is to find the right window
for both your climate and your
checkbook.
The
NFRC (National Fenestration Rating
Council ®), the EWC (Efficient
Windows Collaborative), and Energy
Star can help you find the right
window for your area and climate.
You can visit their websites
at:
http://www.nfrc.org/
http://www.efficientwindows.org
http://www.energystar.gov/
Once
you have visited these web sites, you
will better understand about the
products, and materials used and
certified as energy efficient for your
area and climate.
Generally,
in the Northern zone of the United
States, you want a U-Factor under
0.35, and in the Southern Zone of the
United States, a U-Factor of 0.40 or
lower is recommended.
The next aspect you want to
look for in a quality replacement
window is low-emissivity (Low-E)
coating, which admits direct solar
heat but blocks long-wave heat
reflected from such surfaces as
driveways, and buildings.
This thin, nearly invisible
coating reduces the total heat gain in
a room as well as prevents UV rays
from fading and damaging furniture.
Once
you know which energy rated window you
need for your area, your next step is
to visit the window retailers and
distributors in your area.
By visiting the retailers and
distributors, you can examine the
windows in your price range. Don’t let a sales person to persuade you to purchase
windows you don’t believe are right.
Chances are if you don’t like
the windows on display, you will like
them even less once they are installed
in your home.
DO
NOT PURCHASE WINDOWS FROM A RETAILER
DISTRIBUTOR IF:
1.
The sales staff cannot or will
not answer to your question.
2.
The sales staff does not
understand the energy efficiency
features of their products.
3.
The sales staff tries to
pressure you to purchase a product you
do not want.
4.
The product does not have the
ENERGY STAR®, and NFRC label.
Once
you have done your research, you will
know the style and type of window you
want and be ready to purchase the
replacement windows for your home that
will increase your home’s curb
appeal, be energy efficient and that
won’t leave your wallet empty.
|
