increasing energy efficiency at home--windows

Increasing the energy efficiency of a home can be the first step towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Windows can be a big area where energy is lost: energy especially from either heating or cooling the home. Look for high R value/low U value
Here are some tips to help make your windows less of an energy suck:
1. Control your air leaks—caulking and weather stripping work great and are cheap, but replacing the window frame can be
just as cost effective
2. Buy double pane glass windows—we’re going for high R values/low U values here
3. Wood framing—has higher R value than aluminum and are more environmentally friendly than vinyl.
4. Storm Windows can also make a cheap and energy saving alternative
5. Glazing materials
a. Low-emissivity glass (low-e)
b. Heat-absorbing glass
c. Reflective glass: help with controlling heat gain during the summer
d. Argon gas filled: increases R value


Images from
Fine Home Building