If you have a house that was not built in the last 10 years or so, it is very likely that the windows in your home are not as energy efficient as they potentially could be. Whether you are concerned with energy efficiency just because of financial considerations and your monthly energy bills or you are primarily concerned about your carbon footprint and environmental impact, investing in energy efficient windows can have numerous benefits for you and your home. Get to know some of the different window options and design features to look out for so that you can make the right energy efficient window selection for your home and needs.

Double Pane and Triple Pane Glass

One of the best qualities of modern energy efficient windows is that they are made using multiple panes of glass. Glass panes are essentially layers of glass that are separated by very small spaces that are basically pockets of air.

This empty space between the panes of glass serves to trap air that would otherwise penetrate through the single layer of glass. The purpose of that space between the glass panes, therefore, is to trap thermal energy transfer. In the winter, this prevents cold air from getting into your home and warm air from getting out, and in the summer, the opposite is true.

Double pane glass is the current energy efficiency standard. However, if you want to get the most energy efficiency, triple pane glass is the way to go. The only problem is that triple pane glass is much heavier than double pane and may require a more heavy-duty frame and reinforcement to hold the windows in place.

Smart Glass Windows

Smart glass windows are one of the newest innovations in the glass industry. These windows use various technologies that help to better filter light without affecting visibility when looking out of windows.

One of these technologies is known as thermochromic technology. This technology allows the window tinting to change based on the amount of thermal energy (which is largely based on the brightness of the light from the sun) that hits the windows at any given time.

At the hottest times of the day, when the sun is strongest and the heat from the sun is more likely to cause temperatures in your home to rise, the glass will appear darker. This increased tinting will help to better filter UV rays and prevent unwanted thermal energy transfers. However, when it is cold, such as when it is dark or during the winter, the thermochromic technology will keep the glass more clear and untinted to allow warmth from the sun's UV rays to help keep your house warm.

Keeping these window glass features and options in mind, you can be sure that you make the right window energy efficiency option for you and your home. For more information, contact local professionals like Nu-Vue Products.