A Three-Step Guide To Sustainable Window Replacement
Posted on: 24 March 2022
If you are someone who really values the health of the planet and hopes to preserve it for future generations, then you probably want to make home improvements as sustainably as possible. This includes replacing your windows. How do you replace windows in a way that has the least possible environmental impact? Following this three-step guide will get you off to a good start.
Step 1: Choose the most energy-efficient windows.
The United States has come a long way when it comes to green energy production. However, many power plants still burn coal and other fossil fuels, which is not the most sustainable practice. The most sustainable windows are therefore the ones that conserve the most energy in your home.
The benchmark for energy-efficient windows is that they are marked with the Energy Star logo. This logo means the windows have met efficiency standards set by the EPA. For even more efficient windows, you should look for ones that have the following features:
- Low-e glass: Low-E glass reflects heat, lowering both your heating and cooling bills.
- Triple-pane glass: The extra layer of glass and the air trapped between the glass layers makes your windows very efficient.
- Reinforced seals: Reinforced seals are less likely to become leaky and ruin your windows' efficiency over time.
Step 2: Have your windows professionally installed.
You may be tempted to save some cash by installing windows yourself. However, if you want to replace your windows as sustainably as possible, you want to have them installed by pros. The way that windows are installed plays a big role in their efficiency. A professional will know how to properly fit the window to the opening and install insulation around it so that it is less likely to leak or become inefficient over time.
Step 3: Recycle your old windows.
Ask your window installer what they do with the old windows. If they do not recycle the old windows, then you can ask for them to leave the old windows behind. This way, you can recycle them yourself. The glass can be reused to make anything from bottles to jars. The frames, assuming they are wood, may be ground up and used to make fiber cement or composite.
Replacing your windows sustainably is all about following these three steps. Choose efficient windows, have them installed by a professional, and dispose of your old windows in a responsible way. For more information, contact a window replacement specialist near you.
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