Does one really save enough on fuel costs when replacing their windows with an low e and argon window?

Question

I am thinking about replacing my single pane, with storms, with low e and argon windows.

Answer 1

You lose 80 btu's of heat per square foot of glass , per hour. Add up all your square footage of glass in your home and mult. by 80 and you will be amazed.
You lose heat by "convection" , "infiltration", and "radiation".
The inside temp. of single pain glass is about only 2 degrees warmer on the inside as it is on the outside. Heat sources are usually placed under windows. Heat rises and is cooled by the glass. Or heated if in hotter climates. Either way costing you.

Installation is the key thing. Make sure they fit openings without forcing them in. Should be made to fit opening. NOT opening fit window. Seal with high grade caulk on every seam. Make sure caulking has titanium dioxide in it. Keeps ultraviolet light from destroying it in a years time. Also has to have a good expansion and contraction rate as well as adhesive factor. A best window will not perform if not installed well with high grade caulking.
Air infiltration is the biggest loss in heating and cooling.
Argon gas is a more dense gas then regular air is. It stops heat and cold transfer better. The only bad thing is it usually dissipates in time leaving you without it. If it comes included in the window price fine. Otherwise I wouldn't order it special.

Low E-glass, DO NOT REPLACE THE WINDOWS WITHOUT IT! It reflects ultraviolet light in summer keeping home from extra heat gain. Also stops that light from fading curtains and furniture. It helps retain your heat in winter. When the sun is lower in the sky in the winter it will allow more of the heat gain to transfer in helping to warm your home. It is basically a metal film on the glass to that you don't notice and is worth every Penny it cost you.

Make sure you get a window with wool pile type weatherstripping and if it has what is called a fin-seal in it , it will cut infiltration by half with then without it. Moving panels should have a interlock system that interlocks with the stationary unit when closed.
Frames should be fuss-ion welded frames if buying vinyl units.
They are stronger and keep air infiltration out.

Locking systems are important. I like "cam locks" the best. If unit is a tall one or a wide one. Have them build the window with two of them instead of just one like most come with .If they allow you to order them that way. Some do , some don't

Insulation is measured by a "r" value.
The higher the number the better insulation value is.
On windows it is a "u" value.
The lower the "u" value the better the windows performance will be. This is very important so make sure you look on the sticker and check out the "u" value. Remember, the lower the better.

New quality windows, can save you up to 50% of your heat bill or your cooling bill depending on where you live. Your comfort zone will be improved due to more uniform temperatures and it also ads as a sound deadening effect as a extra bonus. You pay for them if you don't have them so you might as well do it.The most expensive isn't always worth the money. Check "u" values to compare.They will also make for faster easier sale of your home if you decide to sell later. Win win thing.

I know this answer is long but it could be a lot longer to get to all of it. Figured to help as much as I could.
Hope this all helps.
kenney g. in Portland , Oregon

Answer 2

I have replaced 1/2 my house with them, and I can tell a difference, although the windows we got were very, very expensive. So for the rest of the house, we are going to going w/ energy star windows, but not the most expensive ones (Rescom, Bristol windows).
Also there are federal tax credits when buying energy star windows.

Answer 3

nope