Whitneys Incorporated

Did you know that the windows of your home play an important role in keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer? Let’s talk about winter first because the winters of the North Country last much longer than the summer season. Next to the insulation in your house windows are the next factor in keeping the cold air out and warm air in. Changing your windows with high performance, energy efficient windows can save on your heating costs, add value to your house and ultimately make your home more comfortable especially when the wind is blowing and the temperature dips below freezing.

The following is a list to look out for when thinking about window replacement;

• Your windows rattle when trucks drive by. This is a sign of old wooden windows that are loose and are letting cold air in.
• Your old wooden windows have “weight pockets” on the sides. The real indicator is seeing a thin piece of rope attached to the sash and goes over a pulley along the top of the window jamb and disappears into the window. Attached to the other side of the rope is a lead weight that helps operate the window. This whole cavity where the lead weight moves up and down is un-insulated and could be a major source of heat loss.
• Your windows are only single pane. Windows with double or triple pane glazing are much more efficient.
• Existing storm windows. The purpose of a storm window is to make an in-efficient window less drafty. Storm windows provide very limited energy efficiency and with a single pane primary unit the combined efficiency is less than half of a new high performance replacement window.
• Windows that are out of square. Look at the meeting rails of the top and bottom sashes to make sure they line up. If they don’t line up the window could be out of square and have gaps that let cold air in. Settling of older homes is the culprit of this problem.
• Your windows are 20 years or older. Technology and advanced glazing increase the energy efficiency of replacement windows.
• Rotten exterior trim or sills. This is a good indicator that your windows aren’t installed properly, they weren’t sealed properly (painting) or just don’t operate properly. This should be taken care of as soon as possible to stop further damage.

What products should you look for when thinking about replacing windows? First,

many of the new replacement windows on the market are Energy Star rated. There are tax credits for new Energy Star windows for 2009. Vinyl windows are the most popular because they are maintenance free and don’t require any painting. Vinyl windows come with options that include divided lights (matching the colonial look of your home), different colors and different energy saving glazing options. If you like the look and feel of wood there is an option for wood-clad replacement windows. These windows have a wooden interior with a painted aluminum exterior protecting it from the forces of mother nature. Window warranties are very important. Most windows come with a standard lifetime warranty on parts and a 20-year warranty on the glass. Whitney’s offers a lifetime warranty on all parts and glass for every replacement window installed.

Replacement windows come with different glazing options. Low-E and Argon Gas are two glazing options that increase the efficiency of the window. Low-E is a coating on the inside glass pane of insulated glass that increases the ability to diminish heat transfer and reduces that amount of transmitted ultraviolet light that can damage carpets, fabrics and drapes. Argon gas, placed between the panes of insulated glass, is much heavier than air and makes it difficult for warm or cold air to pass through. Insulated windows with Low-E and Argon Gas glazing can be 50 percent more efficient than a single pane window.