Due to increasing energy costs, homeowners should be extremely concerned when it comes to making their homes more energy efficient. Added insulation in walls and ceilings, new furnaces, and new air conditioners are good ways to improve on energy efficiency in a home; however, one of the best ways to accomplish this is to replace old leaky windows with high efficiency vinyl replacement windows.

The technology used to produce vinyl windows has dramatically changed within the last decade, and it is amazing how energy efficient a window made with today’s technology can be. Windows are probably the biggest factor when it comes to a home being energy efficient. Many people would never think that just by replacing their old windows with a high quality window, they could actually save anywhere between 30 – 40% of their heating and cooling bills!

Research shows that the best type of windows on the market today are vinyl windows. Compared to wood windows vinyl windows are maintenance-free, they never need painting or staining, and they never rot or decay like wood windows often do. Also the insulation values are much higher in urethane-insulated vinyl windows than wood windows.

Here are some questions to ask yourself if you are considering replacing the window in your home:

Are the frames insulated?
Vinyl windows with frames made of UPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride) extrusions insulated with a polyurethane core are much more energy efficient than wood, multi-chambered hollow vinyl, aluminum, and composite windows. Also make sure you look at the R-Factor of both glass and frames. Remember, the greater the R-Factor the better the insulating value. Sunrise Windows are constructed with a polyurethane core.

How are the window corners connected?
If the corners are fusion-welded together the corners will never leak, which means neither water nor air will penetrate through the frames of the windows. However, if the corners are either screwed together, mechanically fastened or chemically welded, then they can start to leak over time. All Sunrise Windows are completely fusion-welded.

Do the windows have an energy efficient glass, which will help to reduce the transfer of heat and cold?
Most windows are available with Low-E Glass, some Low-E coatings are pyrolitic hard coats, some are sputter coated soft coats, and some are even contain 2 layers of Low-E coating. The highest performing Low-E, Sunrise’s Ultra-U+Plus, is coated with eight different layers of heat reflective metallic shields.

Are the windows ENERGY STAR® approved where I live?
Products are tested and rated by the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council), which have certain guidelines windows must pass to be considered energy efficient. Only the best performing windows will have the ENERGY STAR® approval by the U.S. Department of Energy for outstanding energy efficiency (utility cost savings). The department rates products for three different geographical regions in the United States, so many windows may not be ENERGY STAR® approved in all regions of the country. Sunrise Windows are ENERGY STAR® approved in all regions of the country.

What does the warranty cover and how long does it last?
Window manufacturers offer a wide range of warranties. Some offer a warranty as short as 5 years, many windows are warranted for 10 years, and a few offer a lifetime warranty, which may be pro-rated after a few short years. Sunrise Windows‘ warranty is a lifetime, non-prorated, transferable warranty. If any part of your window ever breaks or fails, it’s covered!

Replacement windows built by today’s standards can pay for themselves by the amount of savings in heating and cooling costs of a home. They also offer a homeowner many different options, such as different types of glass, colors of frames, and many different styles of windows.