The average family in American spends about $2,000 per year on energy bills. That’s a lot of money! Unfortunately, that number can often go up because of leaky windows, old appliances, faulty ducts, and other inefficient cooling and heating systems. The good news is, though, that adding replacement windows to your Irvine, CA home can help solve a lot of these issues.

Windows are great, but drafty windows can really take a big bite out of your energy budget. The Department of Energy says that inefficient or drafty windows are the cause of 25% of residential heating and cooling use. In other words, you could be saving up to 25% in energy if you install new, energy-efficient replacement windows to replace the outdated, old, or inefficient windows in your home.

There are two main kinds of windows you should look for when replacing windows for energy reasons: double pane and triple pane. Double pane glass windows have two glass panes that are coated in two layers of Low-E coating, therefore helping to block about 80% of the sun’s UV rays. Triple pane glass windows are similar to double in that they have two layers of Low-E coating, but these windows have an additional third pane of glass that helps them block about 90% of the sun’s UV rays.

Adding replacement windows to your home is a quick way to boost energy efficiency and energy savings. But replacement windows are a big investment. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to make your home more energy-efficient while you’re saving up for replacement windows.

• Shades – Window shades, blinds, drapes, or other window treatments help reflect light, and therefore heat, away from the house.
• Turn off the Lights – Reducing light usage can also save money. Turn off the lights when not in use, or install dimmers, timers or motion sensors.
• Turn off Electronics – Large electronics use energy if they’re plugged in but not in use. Curb this extra energy loss by plugging electronics into power strips and turning off the strips when the electronics aren’t in use.
• Full Loads – Only run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer when they have full loads.
• Energy Star – Energy Star rated products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Look for Energy Star ratings and labels to make sure you’re choosing the most efficient products.
• Replace Filters – The filters on air conditioners and furnaces can make the machines run more and harder if they’re dirty. Clean or replace filters to prevent this.
• Program the Thermostat – Invest and install a programmable thermostat to create temperature programs that meet your schedule and needs so you’re not heating or cooling your home unnecessarily.

These tips can help you keep your home efficient until you install replacement windows. When you’re ready to invest in Irvine, CA replacement windows just call or visit Cunningham Doors & Windows. We are here to help with all your replacement window needs.