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TECHNOLOGY AND YOU

Energy savings alone may not justify replacement windows

ic0104181.jpg New wood windows are attractive, efficient

Q: Dear Jim: I have considered replacing our leaky single-pane wood windows with new ones. I like wood windows, but I also want low maintenance. What should I look for and will they yield a good payback from energy savings? - Sarah T.

A: Dear Sarah: Old leaky windows not only drive up your utility bills, but they make you feel uncomfortably cold (hot in the summer), allow dust/allergens indoors, sweat during cold weather, and allow furniture and carpeting to fade. Also, when you install good-quality replacement windows, the first thing you will notice is reduced road noise near a window.

Wood frames are still very popular for new and replacement windows, even though they may require some maintenance, because no other frame materials match their beauty. Many windows, with natural wood interior surfaces and vinyl- and aluminum-clad wood exteriors, are virtually maintenance-free. Many of the non-clad windows are painted with high-tech polymer coatings and are extremely durable.

The year-round utility bill savings from installing new replacement windows results primarily from the new, more efficient types of glass and airtight weatherstripping. Since the window frame itself makes up a relatively small percentage of the total window opening, its design and manufacturing quality are more important than its material type.

The wood frame material itself, with its billions of microscopic pores and air pockets, is a natural insulator and never feels cold to the touch. With the many new types of low-emissivity thermal glass available, with up to four panes and/or films, window condensation will be very rare and you won't get that chilly feeling when sitting near a window at night.

Whether or not installing replacement windows will provide a good economic payback is a difficult question to answer. Not long ago, my mother had replacement windows installed in her house. I sat in on the sales presentations, but the salesmen did not know who I was. My advice is to be wary of any claims that sound too good to be true. I heard them all.

The actual dollar payback from lower utility bills depends on many factors: efficiency of your heating and air-conditioning system, number and orientation (to the sun) of the windows, condition of your existing windows, etc. Ask several window contractors to do computerized savings payback analyses for you. Keep in mind that the other non-economic, convenience advantages of installing new windows are also important

James Dulley is a mechanical engineer who writes on a wide variety of energy and utility topics. His column appears in a large number of daily newspapers.
Copyright 1999 James Dulley

18 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • APRIL 2001


Wood window frames provide a virtually endless array of styles, shapes and sizes. It is much less expensive for the manufacturers to make the tooling to machine wood for various frame contours than it is for aluminum or fiberglass. This makes them ideal for older houses where you may want to match the existing windows. If you prefer the natural look of a clear finish, windows made of mahogany, teak, cherry, redwood and ash are available.

Almost all the wood window manufacturers offer the standard styles of single- and double-hung, casements, awning, hopper, etc. For the greatest overall efficiency, choose casement windows that close on the weatherstripping with a compression fit. This provides a long-term airtight seal. In the non-heating seasons, casement windows, when partially opened, catch and direct gentle breezes indoors for natural ventilation.

More domestic companies now offer tilt-turn windows that have been popular in Europe for years. This window design provides the airtight compression sealing benefits of casement windows as well as security against unwanted guests when the window is opened for ventilation.

Tilt-turn windows have a set of hinges both on the side and at the bottom of the window sash. By turning the latch handle 90 degrees, either the side or the bottom hinges are actuated. When the side hinges are actuated, the window swings in like a reverse casement window. You can open it any amount you wish.

For ventilation with security, rotate the handle to lock the side hinges and actuate the bottom ones. This allows the window to tilt in a bit at the top for ventilation. In this position, it allows air to flow in, but it would be difficult for a thief to squeeze through.

Once you have selected the style of window that you desire you must select the type of glass. The

best type of glass to select will depend on your climate and whether winter heating or summer air-conditioning bills are your primary concern. In most cases, some type of thermal pane glass with a low-emissivity coating or film in between the panes would be the minimum quality to accept.

Write for, or instantly download from www.dulley.com, Utility Bills Update No. 719 - buyer's guide of 12 all-wood and clad window manufacturers listing styles, frame materials, colors, glass options, warranties, features and a style performance comparison. Please include $3.00 and a business-size SASE to: James Dulley, Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 54987, Cincinnati, OH 45254.

APRIL 2001 • ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 19


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