You Might Have Been Sold the Wrong Glass

Stop using Energy Star as the basis for selecting windows and start asking how a window will perform all year round.  

Did you replace your windows with the climate in mind, hoping that both your heating and cooling costs would go down? Did you expect the upgrades to make your home more comfortable all year round? Is it hotter in the summer than it was before you replaced your windows with what you thought were Energy Star High Efficient alternatives? 

Simply put, you were sold the wrong glass. Energy-efficient windows make your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter but it’s important to remember, that not all windows are created equally. Selling someone the wrong glass for their home is as helpful as selling someone glasses that have the wrong prescription. They might look great but they won’t get the job done.

Home Comfort No Matter the Season

Watch out for “Car 180/Clear” on your window quote. It’s a sneaky way for window manufacturers to trick Energy Star ratings and sell you glass that appears to be energy efficient, but it’s far from it. Energy Star ratings only consider Insulation/U-Value (How well the glass stops heat from escaping from your home in the winter). In fact, Energy Star rewards a window for Solar Heat Gain (How well the glass blocks heat from the sun in the summer). Once summertime rolls around, Solar Heat Gain is significant. Making the wrong choice will turn your home into a sauna and increase your cooling costs in the summer.

If you replace your windows with glass that has high Solar Heat Gain, the heat from the sun will travel through the glass and get trapped in your home. As a result, your home will be even hotter than it was before you replaced your windows. A reputable window company will work with you, display various options and help you make the right decision. You may end up selecting different glass for different rooms, depending on if your home has southern exposure, shade, street noise, large windows, among other variables. Do your research, ask questions and make sure the glass you bring into your home serves its purpose throughout the year.

We are your certified Window Geeks

Centra Windows is not only the manufacturer but also the installer of its product, which enables us to offer a full warranty, eliminating any confusion between product performance and installation. We view the house as a system and understand how each of the elements must work correctly to maximize the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. Contact our local Employee Owners at 1-888-534-3333 or send us an email at info@centra.ca for more information about this topic and many more. You can also sign up for our biweekly newsletter, providing all the tips and tricks about the window industry.