Keep the Draft Out, and Your Money In
More and more people are looking for ways to be eco-friendly and cost-efficient at home. Have you ever considered how your windows can save you money while also helping the environment?
Traditionally, windows in Canadian homes consist of one or two layers of glass. The quality of your windows is what matters, and it’s what can significantly affect your hydro bill. During the winter, it’s more obvious how windows can affect the temperature of a room. Lesser quality windows can allow drafts of cold air in, forcing you to turn the heating up. On top of that, while the cold air keeps coming in, the warm air from inside the house seeps out. This of course uses more energy and increases your hydro bill.
A method called double-glazing windows is gaining popularity with homeowners who want to solve this issue. Here are some things you should know about it:
How Does It Work?
- A double-glazed window is made of two glass panes, separated by a spacer bar. The cavity between the panes is filled with dehydrated air or an inert gas. Argon, a colourless, odourless gas, is the most commonly used alternative to air.
- Argon is denser than the atmosphere, so it provides more thermal efficiency than having air between the panes.
Benefits
1) Eco-friendly
- Double-glazed windows help lessen carbon dioxide emissions.
- Double-glazing is also good for lessening condensation in the home.
- They are great thermal insulators, which means they are able to keep the heat inside your home during winter and keep it out during summer.
2) Cost-saving
- If you live in a three-bedroom house that is fitted with single-glazed windows and you plan on replacing all of them, you could end up saving around $250 per year on your heating expenses.
- Double-glazed windows are known to last for 20 to 25 years, so you could save as much as $6,250 over that amount of time.
3) Noise Insulation
- Double-glazed windows can help block the noise outside your home as well as insulate the noise within your house.
4) Added Security
- Double-glazed windows are harder to break than other types of glass, so installing them could help protect your home against break-ins. There are also often high-standard locking mechanisms built into the windows, adding another level of security.
Risks/Concerns
- The amount of gas in argon-filled windows is designed to last the lifetime of the window. Over a period of 25 years, no more than five per cent of the argon should leak out.
- Gas leakage is not a cause for concern in terms of health because gases like argon are non-toxic.
- The best way to guard against leakages and to ensure the quality of your windows is to talk with your contractor. Make sure the windows have been certified against seal failures.
If you’re thinking about changing your windows and want a free estimate, contact an associate from domilya GROUP at 647.300.1242 or visit domilyaGROUP.ca
