Making an investment in superior windows and doors will pay off down the road. In lower energy bills. In less fading damage to furniture and carpet. And above all, in the comfortable enjoyment of your home. That’s why modern window products are designed with a variety of options and glass technologies for outstanding energy efficiency. No single solution is right for every home or every climate. There are some things and tricks to use.

• Ensure an airtight seal. Slowly move a lit candle around the perimeter of the window; if it flickers, you’ve found an air leak. Air infiltration causes annoying and uncomfortable drafts. Where there is air coming in, you could have water infiltration too. Look for superior weatherstripping and welded-corner gasket design on casement, awning and fixed windows.

• Let the sunlight in to warm your home. Open window treatments on south-facing windows during the day and close them at night.

• Keep your windows clean to allow more warming sunlight in. Some companies offer tilt-wash windows that make it a breeze to clean exterior glass from inside your home.

• Use light-colored window treatments to reflect heat or dark-colored treatments to absorb heat. Some companies offer snap-in between-the-glass window fashions that are extremely easy to change and available in virtually any color, fabric and style choice.

• Have windows and doors properly installed. A quality window or door is only as good as its installation.

• Look for the ENERGY STAR logo. Products with the ENERGY STAR logo are highly energy-efficient.

• Look for the NFRC label. The National Fenestration Rating Council has established a uniform energy-rating procedure for all brands of windows and doors. The NFRC label tells you how energy efficient the window is.

• Find windows and doors with low U-values. The lower the U-value, the less heat transfer. You can find U-values on the NFRC label.

• Reduce heat transfer by using argon-filled, low-emissivity insulating glass.

• Prevent furniture and carpet fading by choosing windows and doors with glass coatings.

• Invest in double- or triple-pane windows and doors. Pella Designer Series windows and patio doors with triple-pane glass are #1 for energy efficiency among top national brands, saving you money on your heating and cooling bills. It can also reduce outside noise – like lawn mowers and traffic – by up to 80%.

• Install windows that are built to last.

• High-altitude Low-E insulating glass does not contain argon gas.

• Superior NFRC U-values and SHGC ratings.
• Computer simulation average compared to single-pane wood windows. Actual results may vary.

This article was provided Pella Corporation. Pella’s products and services encompass all of the qualities described above – for example, Pella Corporation is a proud volunteer partner in the Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR program, and their Solar-E coating blocks most of the sun’s heating and fading rays, while still allowing a high percentage of visible light to shine through. Visit them online at www.pella.com .