Low-E windows, or low emissivity windows, are a smart choice for energy-conscious homeowners looking to optimize their homes for energy efficiency and comfort. A Low-E window is designed to minimize heat loss, control solar heat gain, and allow ample natural light to pass through the glass.
What Does Low-E Window Mean?
The term emissivity refers to a material’s ability to emit or radiate energy in the form of ultraviolet (UV) rays and infrared light. A thin layer coats Low-E glass, reducing the emissivity of the glass. This layer reflects a significant portion of the heat back into the home during colder months. This helps in maintaining indoor warmth and ultimately reduces heating costs.
What are Low-E Windows?
The term low-E stands for low emissivity, which refers to a specialized coating that is applied to the window class. This coating helps to control the amount of heat transfer that occurs through glass. Typically, manufacturers apply low-E coatings to the window glass during the manufacturing process. The main objective of this specialized coating is to reduce the amount of radiant heat that passes through the window glass without limiting the amount of visible light that enters the interior of a space.
How Do Low-E Coatings Work?
Specialized Low-E coatings reflect heat energy as part of their design. During the colder months, they reflect infrared radiation (heat) into your home, and during the warmer months, they reflect the heat away from your home. In other words, low-E windows can help to maintain more consistent temperatures in your home year-round, helping with low energy costs.
The magic behind Low-E windows lies in the special coating applied to the glass surface, known as coat low-E glass or simply coated glass. The designers strategically designed this nearly invisible coating to reflect and control the transfer of heat. It acts as a barrier, minimizing the amount of heat that can escape during cold weather while preventing excessive solar heat from entering during hot seasons.
This coating is a game-changer, significantly reducing the strain on your heating and cooling systems, ultimately leading to noticeable savings in your energy costs. So, when you hear about coated glass or coat low-E glass, remember, that it’s all about maximizing efficiency and comfort within your living space.
What are the Benefits of Low-E Windows?
There are various types of Low-E glass, each tailored to different needs. Designers create some Low-E coatings to control solar heat gain, a measurement done by the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). By limiting the amount of solar heat that can pass through the glass, these windows assist in keeping your home cooler during hot weather, potentially reducing cooling costs. Some of the most notable benefits include the following:
- Improved energy efficiency: Low-E windows can markedly increase the energy efficiency of your home. Since they reduce heat transfer by design, you’ll notice a significant decrease in your energy bills.
- Greater comfort: Since low-E windows help to maintain more consistent indoor temperatures, they can help to improve the comfort of your home. For example, during cold weather, they can eliminate cold spots near windows, and during the summer, they can prevent heat gain.
- UV protection: Low-E coatings prevent UV rays from entering your home. This means that your furniture, flooring, and decorative items will be less prone to fading.
- Noise reduction: Low-E windows also demonstrate the ability to reduce noise levels. They achieve this through an additional layer of glass and coatings that serve as a sound barrier.
- Environmentally friendly: Low-E windows help to reduce the strain on your heating and cooling system, making them environmentally friendly.
Types of Low-E Coatings
Typically, Low-E windows consist of double-pane glass, meaning two panes of glass with a space between them. Manufacturers apply the Low-E coating to one of the panes. This double-pane window design provides an additional layer of insulation, further reducing heat transfer and energy loss. When it comes to low-E windows, there are two main types of coatings to choose from:
- Hard-coat: Manufacturers apply hard-coat low-E coatings directly to the window glass during the manufacturing process. This coating is more durable but in terms of energy efficiency, it isn’t as effective as soft-coat low-E coatings.
- Soft-coat: Manufacturers apply soft-coat low-E coatings in a vacuum chamber after the window glass has been manufactured. This option is more advanced and energy efficient.
Improve the Efficiency of Your Home with Low-E Windows
Low-E windows are an excellent investment to enhance energy efficiency and comfort in your home. Their ability to control heat transfer, allow natural light, and reduce heating and cooling costs make them a popular choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.
Discount Window and Door of Omaha – Window Replacement Company
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