Tuesday 14 July 2015

Save on Energy Bills Through Energy Efficient Windows

Energy Efficiency
Windows are an important criteria in places with heating requirement. They tend to lose heat at a substantial rate and lead to higher use of energy in a building.  Optimizing the windows by choosing the proper direction and their manufacturing material can save energy ensure maintained temperature in all the nooks and corners. Properly designed and placed windows can be the first step towards energy efficient homes and more and more multifamily housing contractors Az are taking note of it.

U Factor: Measurement of Heat Loss
Energy efficiency is not always about trapping solar energy and maintaining for good. Rather it is about finding a balance between utilizing solar energy and maintaining non solar energy. U-factor is the technical term which defines the amount of energy a window can lose or gain. Technically it measures the flow of non-solar energy through windows. A lower U factor means less heat flow, which means, materials with lowest U factors are perfect for energy efficiency

Types of Glasses and U factors


Single glass
-
Double Glass
0.48
Double Glass (e = 0.20)  
0.39
Double Glass (e = 0.10)
0.37
Triple Glass (e = 0.10)
0.23
Quadruple Glass (e = 0.10)
0.22

Technically speaking, quadruple glass is the best choice for home insulation and energy efficiency but it might not be the best deal for the budget. So, a smart solution will be to go midway and choose a cheaper option, while taking advantage of natural factors like direction of the window and providing shade to them.

In most of the US, a south facing window is optimum for heating purposes while north facing are apt for cooling. So, in the areas where heating is a basic need all round the year, south facing windows can help majorly in trapping some natural heat through the low sun. This strategy combined with a window material of low U factor can result in an affordable heating bill for nationwide multifamily construction project.

Choosing the Window Material
Window material and their U factors need proper consideration before installation because installing windows is not a task which can be undertaken on trial and error. First thing to note and question while buying the windows is the U factor of the complete set up. U factor mentioned on the glass is usually for the glazing only and it can go very high in the complete setup of frames and insulation.

Secondly, the frames of the windows have major role to play. Aluminum frames are the worst choice because of improper insulation while wood and fiberglass are best for heat insulation. These 2 points make single pane glass windows with aluminum frame obsolete for areas with high heating requirements. They can only manage to look good and can provide some amount of heating benefits only when combined with storm windows are extra thermal insulation. Perfect permutation preferred by nationwide construction projects for heating dominant areas is; multiple pane windows with a low E and gas filled.

Conclusion
Appropriately heating a building while saving on heating bills is easier said than done. Experts believe that heating is a balancing act between using nature at its best and substituting artificial means for added comfort. That is why multifamily housing contractors in Az deem it important to research and find out the best options for window panes while simultaneously finding out the best direction for maximum solar heat capturing.

Thursday 2 July 2015

Energy Efficient Renovations-Reducing Bills and Carbon Footprints

Energy Efficient Renovation
Homes installed with energy efficient devices and technology, sell easily on the real estate market and there is a strong reason behind it. Energy efficient homes do not only consume less energy and save on bills but they also contribute towards the environment by using less fuels and reducing carbon footprints.

Current times call for drastic improvements in our lifestyle. Energy efficient innovations is just a tip of all the efforts which are needed to bring in a positive change to environment. People are becoming conscious about their surroundings but still a lot remains to be done.

Renovating for energy efficiency has become a recent trend and is the key factor behind all Arizona renovations. Property owners throughout the state are more inclined towards investing in energy efficient renovations, rather than going for new properties.

Pocket Friendly Energy Efficiency Renovation Tips
House renovation is a good time for fixing the loopholes of energy efficiency in a structure. Be it a residential or commercial property, the best time to work on its insulation is when it is being ripped off from wall to wall. This saves a lot of time as well as ensures proper repairs because all the otherwise inaccessible corners can be easily reached now.

Energy efficiency is a combination of consuming less energy and ensuring minimal loss of energy through the structure. Here are few tips which can be undertaken along with renovations and won’t add up much to the existing expenses.

Replace Energy Inefficient Equipment
New energy efficient appliances with 5 star ratings in place of old worn out machines, help in improving the energy efficiency rating of a structure. This small investment at the right time can go a long way in saving money.

Fix Insulation
Bad insulation in windows, attics and more, is not a new problem. Most builders don’t do a fine job and there are always some fault lines left behind which lead to energy loss. Renovation is a good time to find these faults and fix them. Money spent on proper insulation of walls, windows and roofs is worth every penny because it make a house comfortable in every season.

Purchase Quality Products
It goes without saying that good quality building products goes a long way in curbing costs of repair and maintenance. High quality products like, insulation material, duct pipes, window glasses, etc. are good investments. They pay back by saving on energy bills and keeping a home in an appropriate temperature according to the weather outside.

Conclusion
Energy efficiency of a structure makes for a comfortable living while cutting costs in energy expenses. Homeowners and builders have started waking up to the concept and noting the fact that it is good to invest in energy efficient ways during renovation rather than paying huge bills.

Arizona is a state of extreme climatic diversity. Houses here need proper insulation and it is mostly the focus in all Arizona renovations. Property owners understand the long term benefits and are progressively spending to fix their construction mistakes.