Living Like Ed - (Page 37) just wonderful windows, and they’ll be around longer than this house will. They’ll be taking them out and putting them in another house someday. Choosing the Right Windows Window technology has become so advanced that you can now get windows that have been fabricated specifically for your climate. Somebody who lives in Minnesota wouldn’t want to install the same windows as somebody who lives in Miami. Not only is there obviously a dramatic difference in temperatures between those two regions, but there’s also a difference in the amount and the strength of direct sunlight. To meet the needs of homeowners living in different places—as well as those working with different budgets—window manufacturers offer all kinds of options. Besides double-pane windows, there are triple- and even quadruple-pane windows. Though they are a little more expensive, triple-pane windows are a good match if you live in an environment that has harsh, long winters. It’s just another added layer of protection from heat transfer. You also can find windows with a larger airspace between panes, which also increases energy efficiency. And you can find windows with gas (usually argon) instead of air between the panes. Argon is denser and has lower conductivity than air, so it reduces heat loss—or heat gain—through the window even more. Windows are offered with different coatings, too. Tinted glass and tinted window films are designed to reduce heat gain through windows—primarily for people in warm climates. Windows with low-e, or low-emissivity, coatings come in different styles to meet different needs. Some are designed for people in cold-weather areas to reduce heat loss through the windows in winter. Others are designed for people in hot climates to reduce heat gain through the windows in summer. 37 1: home Making Any Windows More Efficient Even if you aren’t ready for the expense of replacing your windows—or if you’re renting a home right now—there are ways to make the windows you already have more energy efficient. resistance to heat or cold. The higher the number, the more resistant that particular material is,
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