One of the very first things that you have to do after purchasing your new home in Alexandria, Virginia is to check the windows; if they seem to be of a very old model type, you might need to have them replaced with more energy-efficient ones. Newer models come with features that can help save homeowners a significant amount of their heating and cooling budget. Below are some important facts about

energy-saving

windows for Alexandria, VA

homes.

Keeping Heat from Penetrating

There are four ways through which heat can pass through a window; conduction, radiation, convection, and air leakage. Conduction, the natural passage of heat through a solid material, can be prevented by multiple-glazed glass panes that trap the heat in-between the glass. Convection, on the other hand, for which air gives up some of its heat to the cooled glass, can be prevented by multiple-glazed windows with low conductance gas-filling layer inside.

Radiation, in turn, occurs as the heat moves in waves from a warmer object to a cooler one. This is alleviated by placing low-e glass coatings, which can stop heat traveling through a certain wavelength. Air leakage is mostly caused by bad ventilation, and can be fixed by durable weatherstripping.

The Right amount of Sun

Sunlight is excellent for the human body, but exposure, even indoors with minimum protection, has its consequences. According to an article by Finehomebuilding.com:

Less than half of the sun's energy is visible. Longer wavelengths are infrared, which is felt as heat. Shorter wavelengths, beyond purple, are ultraviolet (UV). When the sun's energy strikes a window, visible light, heat and UV are either reflected, absorbed or transmitted into the building.

This can be remedied with low-e glass, as well.

Excellent View

These energy-saving windows are not meant to take away the very purpose of having windows: having your share of view and natural lighting. When choosing windows from contractors like Roofing & More, Inc., opt for windows with high visible transmittance, since these offer the most visibility.

There are many

reliable

replacement windows from Alexandria, VA

that you can have installed in your home, and they come in various types so you will barely run out of choices. Remember though that it's important to know what you're looking for; determine whether your choice offers the best heating and cooling savings for you.