Triple Glass Windows with a U-Value .22 (operating) and .20 (fixed) or Lower are the only windows qualified for the R-5 Department of Energy's Window Program

        "No" Double Glass Windows Qualify                                 "NO" .30 -.30 Windows Qualify

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Triple pane replacement windows

Triple glazed windows are some of the best energy efficient windows on the market today and the only window accepted by the Department of Energy's R-5 Window Program. If your looking for replacement windows these triple pane or triple glass layered units provide the most energy savings potential while substantially lowering the outdoor noise population. Traditional single layered windows by themselves do very little to insulate and comfort your home. Double pane windows can help save energy, however fall short of really getting the job done right, even with Low-e and argon gas. Triple glass windows have two sealed air chambers between the multiple glazing.  It is these two sealed chambers that make all the difference in the world. You see the best insulator known to man is a vacuum, the second best is dead dry air. Now when we change the chemical composition of that air with an inert gas which serves only to make the air "heavier" thus reducing the convection between the inside glass and the outside temperature. This gas can be argon, krypton or zenon all of which are safe and harmless to the environment, below we explain in much more detail. However its this heavier air that helps to prevent the transfer of heat equally at the top, center and bottom of IG (insulated glass) no matter what size the window is. One more quick issue that we will discuss in more detail as you read is, location.  Triple glass windows are a necessity no matter where in America you live, from the cold winters of the northeast to dry deserts of the south west. This myth of, "I don't need a window that good" will be finally put the bed never to awake-up again. We would to you with a question. Have you ever seen a switch on any window that says winter, summer spring or fall?  We haven't..!!

Three panes means two insulating air spaces

With the three panes of glass, triple pane replacement windows have two separate air chambers. This extra air space immediately reduces costly and discomforting energy (heat) transfer. Some manufacturers making triple pane replacement windows further insulate the two separate air spaces with a cocktail of heavier then air gases. Gas filled windows have been available with insulating gases between all three panes for about twenty years, so it's not a new idea. However which gas does matter, argon gas is less expensive and lighter then krypton gas. Krypton gas is not only much better and more expensive it is becoming very difficult to purchase in mass quantities.  Zenon gas in fairly new to the window industry but is even a better insulator.  Then of course there is low emissivity glass -- Low-E is a metallic oxide made in the glass or as a coating which is applied to the glass during manufacturing. (more on low-e below) Always insist on low-e glass however I don't know of one manufacturer that doesn't make this product standard in there windows. Glazing, the process in which the three panes of glass are sealed together, sounds kind of travail, ....this is one of the most important if not the most important process in building a super high energy efficient window, Triple pane replacement windows also have another issue you the homeowner may not think of, some manufacturer's use single strength glass while your better quality manufacturer's only use double strength glass. All these factors significantly improves the windows energy efficiency rating.

Window Frames, ...vinyl, fiberglass or composite?

Window frames may only represent 13 to 18 percent of the overall window yet alone can represent up to 30% of total energy lost. So which frame you choose will have a impact on the windows overall energy efficiency. Maybe for your home it will depend largely on your regional climate. Meaning if you live in a hot climate your should conceder fiberglass or composite frames since vinyl tends to expands in hotter temperatures. Which style energy efficient replacement windows are best. Whether you select a double hung, casement windows or sliding windows can have an impact on your home's heating and cooling bills. Today's vinyl however is much stronger then vinyl 15 years ago with the advent of U-pvc, however the problem is some manufacturers try to cut corners by using a plasticize vinyl. How you can tell is when you see a white vinyl frame and it is bright white be sure to ask if plasticizers are being used. Quality vinyl is either blue-white or gray-white, but never bright white. Fiberglass is probably to very best material window frames can be made of since they do not expand nor contract with temperature and can be made thinner thus less bulkier that most any other material. You can also cut fiberglass like wood if a window is mistakenly made a bit to big, something you can not do with vinyl. Plus you can paint fiberglass and it takes to paint very well. Composite material is also very similar to fiberglass in its use but tends to make some smaller style windows look a bit bulky. Keep in mind thou no matter which one you choose all three are well accepted practices.  

Gas Filled Windows

Gas filled replacement windows are some of the best energy efficient windows available

Gas filled windows are the best energy efficient replacement windows on the market today. Efficiency is significantly improved with an injection of these inert, non toxic, odorless and transparent gases. Gas insulated windows use one or a combination of dense atmospheric gases, argon. zenon and krypton. Zenon, argon and krypton are thicker and denser than the air we breath and are also much dryer that fill the air spaces of most multi paned windows. These gases are filled and sealed in the air spaces between the layers of glass in some double pane windows and some triple glazed windows. Filling the space with these denser gases reduces both heat loss and heat gain significantly.

Argon filled windows

Argon is generally the less expensive of the two. Argon is used to fill multi paned windows with around a half inch of space between the panes.

Krypton filled windows

Krypton is usually more expensive than argon, but krypton serves as a better window insulator. This gas is usually used to fill air spaces of around 1/4 inch between the panes.

Glazing, ...might be the most important issue

To be add shortly

Insulating and reflective window coating

In some double and triple paned windows Low-E Glass or low emittance coating, is placed on the window glass in order to redirect and insulate heat. The best energy efficient windows available today are argon and krypton filled windows that also have low e glazing to even further reduce energy loss.