Energy-efficient windows make your home more comfortable year-round and help cut down on utilities, saving both energy and money and lowering your carbon footprint for an environmental impact. You may even benefit from tax credits or rebates. Here are factors to consider:
Energy-efficient glass
The right window glass option, optimized for your climate, can help reduce heating and cooling costs by slowing thermal transfer. With dualpane or triple-pane glass, inert argon gas can be used between panes of glass to improve insulating properties. Laminated, tempered, tinted and obscure insulating glass can also add ultraviolet protection to help keep your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.
Window installation
Proper window installation will help prevent air infiltration and even costly water damage to your home. If installed incorrectly, your windows may not operate properly. Check the level, plumb, bowing, square and the reveal to determine if your windows were installed properly. A tightly sealed and properly installed window helps prevent air leaks and drafts.
Window placement
You can increase your window’s energy efficiency by selecting specific low-emissivity (Low-E) glass coatings for different areas of your home. These are layers of thermal protection inside insulating glass that help reflect summer heat and winter cold and block harmful UV rays.
Window frame construction
Your choice of window frame material influences your window’s overall energy efficiency.
- Wood windows provide excellent insulation. Wood has low conductivity which means wood window frames transfer less heat or cold into your home.
- Fiberglass offers insulating properties similar to wood. Durable fiberglass windows are made from a thermoset material, meaning it won’t melt or breakdown when exposed to environmental temperature swings.
- Multi-chambered vinyl window frames reduce heat loss for added energy efficiency–and they’re exceptionally easy to care for. Multiple air-filled chambers have insulating properties to slow the transfer of heat.
All Pella windows are available in energy-efficient wood, fiberglass and vinyl options, so you can choose the material that is best suited for your home. Some products are available with optional foam insulation to further improve energy performance.
Window energy labels and metrics
To choose energy-efficient windows with confidence, it’s important to understand the key metrics used to rate their performance. Information can often be found on the window’s energy label. Look for products that feature the ENERGY STAR® label, which means the window has met strict energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These windows are also tested and rated by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) to ensure consistent performance measurements across products.
“One of the most critical aspects of sustainable construction is conditioning the home correctly, and high-quality windows and doors play a major role in that.” —Ethan McAlpine of Heritage Building Group and Associates
Pella Energy Star windows are featured in HOMEARAMA® 2025 homes brought to you by these quality builders:
Ashford Custom Homes
Classic Living Homes
Heritage Building Group and Associates
Justin Doyle Homes
Somerset Custom Homes, Inc.
Article courtesy of Pella Windows & Doors