Tips for Investing in Energy Efficiency Windows in Arizona

Most homeowners in Arizona actively search for ways to streamline their monthly expenses. With utility rates beginning to once again climb because of the summer heat, one of the best long-term investments is purchasing energy efficient windows. Believe it or not, windows can be the cause of most heat and cool temperature loss inside a home.  When comfortable air escapes – or uncomfortable and dirty air enters a home ­­– it often causes your HVAC system to work harder and cost you more in the long term. This is why buying energy efficiency windows in Arizona are truly an investment in the future.

Three Tips To Consider When Purchasing Energy Efficient Windows In Arizona

Tip #1 – Start with Picking the Right Frame

The frame of the window and the seals are the two-most common victims to energy loss for Arizona homes. It’s for this reason that any energy efficient windows you buy and install should include solid frames and seals that will last a long time. There are several types of materials to choose from, each of them offering advantages:

• Vinyl Window Frames: Although many people think of vinyl as being cheap, it actually can be a good, practical solution for many homeowners. Vinyl windows can be very well assembled, allowing good protection from the elements. However, because homeowners are limited to colors and style, many Arizona residents don’t choose this type of material.
• Wood: When you’re looking for the best insulation for window frames, wood tends to be the best. A major reason why it is good for Arizona is that wood tends to rot where the climate is higher in humidity or wet areas. And since Arizona is a mostly desert and dry, wood window frames tend to do very well here.
• Aluminum: If you’re living in a high-wind area, you might want to consider aluminum window frames. Some aluminum frames can be good at providing good insulation, but wood frames tend to be a little better across the board.

Tip #2 – Consider the Style

Besides the material that the frames are manufactured out of, the style of the energy efficient window is also critical. Across the board, double-hung windows tend to be the most common replacement – especially in older homes. However, casement windows are also very popular in Arizona as they are good for high-wind areas. The draw back on casement windows is they tend to require a lot of maintenance – especially the seals of the windows.

Tip #3 – Don’t Overlook Proper Installation

One thing that many homeowners tend to forget is that quality of installation is often a determining factor when determining overall window energy efficiency. When a quality contractor uses the proper techniques, materials and supplies to install a window, the results tend to be much better than those that rush the job. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ in the home window industry. Always make sure your general contractor has experience in replacing windows for your specific style of home.

Installing energy efficient windows in Arizona can save homeowners considerably on monthly utilities. But the best advice we can offer is to carefully consider the entire cost of replacing windows and always hire a dependable contractor to complete this job.

Are you ready to make the leap to saving money? Call us today at 480-481-5150 to schedule a free consultation!