Office Design
Install High-performance Windows
What Is It?
High-performance windows provide an insulating barrier to maintain indoor temperature. Double panes, glazings, and gas fill act as a buffer to prevent hot or cold outside temperatures from passing through the windows. Most windows also contain special coatings to protect against ultraviolet light. EPA labels high efficiency windows as part of its ENERGY STAR labeling program, requiring products to meet strict energy efficiency standards and utilize high quality materials. ENERGY STAR evaluates windows for the transfer of heat, condensation, the amount of air leakage, and the amount of light and solar energy transmitted through a window.
Benefits
High performance windows are designed to better insulate the building and maintain indoor temperature. These windows are constructed with additional barriers to reduce energy consumption for both heating and cooling, thereby lowering utility bills. The layers also reduce the level of noise transmitted indoors.
Financing Options, Incentives, and Rebates
NEWS
- “Angling to go green,” The Washington Post, November 19, 2010
- “Low-cost upgrades can slash energy bills,” Chicago Tribune, November 15, 2010
Resources
- ENERGY STAR: High Performance Windows
- EERE: Windows, Doors, and Skylights
- Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness: High-performance Windows
- US Department of Energy: Energy-Efficient Windows
- Efficient Windows Collaborative
