Modern windows have a lot more going for them than older models, both in eco-friendliness and in functionality. In fact, you can combine quite a few different modern improvements to windows to get the ultimate energy-efficient window. Learn three ways better windows can help you live a greener life.
1. Tighten Your Home’s Envelope
The less your home leaks heat and air, the less you contribute to greenhouse gases just by staying warm (or cool). This is called having a tighter building envelope, and it means that your building has less of a negative effect on the atmosphere as a whole. One easy way to accomplish this is by improving insulation in windows, walls, and attics.
You also reduce your effect on local ecosystems when you improve your building envelope. That’s because of something called the heat island effect. This term describes the elevation in heat that happens in urban areas due to human activities and construction.
Not only is this difference in heat bad for the creatures that are native to that exact spot, but it also heats up stormwater runoff. So the plants and creatures in nearby and surrounding waterways also have to contend with temperatures that they’re not adapted to. Since heat islands are so harmful, reducing your contribution to the effect is the responsible thing to do.
2. Reduce Your Energy Use
The less you need to make up for windows that lose energy, the less time, effort, and money you need to put into heating and cooling your home. Energy sourcing and usage has ecological effects, especially since a high percentage of American energy is still sourced from petroleum products.
If you want to reduce your impact on the environment, then reducing the amount of energy you use to heat and cool your home is a big step in the right direction. You can do this not only by choosing double-or triple-glazed windows but also by choosing low-emissivity glass or adding a coating that protects your windows against non-visible heat and light rays.
3. Reduce Virgin Material Use
If you source windows made of recycled glass, you can reduce your effects on the environment even further. In addition to reducing your usage of virgin petroleum products for energy, you can reduce your reliance on the virgin materials used to create glass. And the process used to recycle glass is more earth-friendly, producing fewer greenhouse gases than new production.
Although recycling paper and plastics is important, getting into the habit of recycling glass and using recycled glass products is even more important when you consider that glass may remain intact for a million years before biodegrading. Another reason why it’s especially helpful to recycle glass is that unlike plastic, it can be recycled over and over again.
Some manufacturers also offer window frames made with eco-friendliness in mind. When choosing an ecofriendly window frame material, you need to take under consideration several factors. Firstly, look for energy efficiency, since this quality can save energy throughout the life of the window. Secondly, look for recycled content and recyclability (composites aren’t recyclable).
These are just three ways that choosing eco-conscious, high-functioning windows can help you live an environmentally friendly life and reduce your home’s impact on the environment.
No matter what type of window you’re looking for, JFK Window & Door Co. can help you find quality products such as double hung windows, specialty windows, combination windows, and much more. We also offer expert installation and aim for complete customer satisfaction. Get in touch with us today to let us know what you’re looking for and learn how we can help you.
