Advanced Window Products Archives - Advanced Window Products

Why Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows Are The Only Way to Go

Posted on December 15, 2014February 12, 2026 by import

Energy Efficient Windows and Your Home

If your home’s windows were installed years ago, chances are they’re not energy efficient. This means you’re likely paying more on energy bills from having to run your furnace or air conditioner frequently. Older windows could also be costing you in terms of needing maintenance or repairs done. Keep in mind that your home value is also lower when you have drafty old windows instead of energy efficient ones. This might not affect you now, but it will when you decide to sell your home. You can change all of this by having energy efficient windows installed on your Salt Lake City home.

What Are Energy Efficient Windows?

Energy efficient windows are ones that are designed to keep heated air inside your home when it’s cold out and prevent heat from getting into your home during Utah’s hot summers. This leads to reduced energy bills and several other benefits. The best energy efficient windows are compliant with the Energy Star program, which holds these products to strict standards. In order to be considered compliant Energy Star windows, these products must meet the following criteria:

Be made by an Energy Star partner
Undergo independent testing and receive certification from the National Fenestration Rating Council
Receive NFRC ratings that meet the Department of Energy’s energy efficiency guidelines

Energy efficient windows have several features that allow them to block hot air from outside and trap hot air inside, including:

High-quality vinyl frames: These frames are often insulated and made from vinyl that holds up well to ultraviolet light exposure.
Multiple panes: Having more than one pane of glass provides higher energy savings and a number of other benefits.
Low-e glass: Low-emissivity coatings only allow very low amounts of heat to pass through windows. They also reflect a higher percentage of heat from outside, which keeps it from entering through the window.
Gas fills: This refers to inert gas between the window panes that helps block heat flow.
Warm edge spacers: These provide barriers in the frame, that protect against heat loss.

When choosing energy efficient replacement windows, you’ll need to consider performance criteria, which varies by geographical location. For our area, that means finding windows that are able to keep your home considerably warmer in winter.

Facts About Energy Efficient Windows

Energy efficient windows have a performance rating that indicates how well they perform in the following categories:

U-Factor: This indicates how much insulation the window provides based on the rate of heat transfer. Lower U-factors are associated with better insulation.
Solar Heat Gain coefficient: This indicates how effectively the window prevents the sun’s heat from entering your home. Lower SHGC rates are associated with lower levels of solar heat.
Visible transmittance: This indicates how much sunlight is able to come through the window. Higher VT rates mean better lighting.
Air leakage: This indicates how much air is able to get through the window joints. Lower AL values mean less air passes through.
Condensation resistance: This indicates how resistant the window is to moisture building up. Higher values mean less condensation.

Click the image to download our energy efficient window buying guide.

Benefits of Double Pane Energy Efficient Windows

Double pane energy efficient windows offer several advantages over single pane windows, including:

Higher savings and lower energy use: Having these windows installed means you don’t have to run your air conditioner or furnace as much, leading to lower utility bills throughout the year.
Improved comfort: These windows provide your home with a more comfortable air temperature all year round. In summer, they help keep cool air inside and hot air outside. During winter, they prevent drafts from outside and help trap heated air indoors.
Reduced condensation: Double pane windows have a lower risk of moisture buildup, which means there’s a lower risk of having mites or mold grow. If you or someone else in your home has a respiratory condition, reducing the risk of condensation with double pane windows can lead to fewer health problems.
Reduced fading: Sunlight can cause carpeting and upholstery to fade over time. With double pane windows, most of those damaging rays are blocked, leading to a lower risk of fading or discoloring.
Increased light and view: Double pane windows allow more light to pass through without also letting in more heat.

Window Replacement in Salt Lake City, Utah

Replacing windows is a major project that requires thorough knowledge on how to do it safely. Otherwise, you could end up damaging your home or running into problems again with drafts if your new windows aren’t properly installed. Instead of taking this risk, have our window installation professionals do it for you. When you hire Advanced Window Products to handle your energy efficient window installation, you’ll be getting the following benefits:

Safe window removal
Customized options for the design and manufacturing process of your new energy efficient windows
Proper window installation and finishing that includes applying insulating features and leveling to ensure that the frame fits securely
Thorough cleanup
Limited lifetime warranty
Assistance with receiving tax credits and rebates
Offers of no-interest financing

Utah Company Helping to Bring Clean Water to Ghana

Posted on October 15, 2014February 11, 2026 by import

Advanced Window Products, Utah’s #1 window replacement company, takes on projects of all sizes—no window project is out of their capacity. They are a manufacturer, installer, and servicer of windows, working in Utah and up to Idaho and Wyoming. This all-in-one company eliminates any hassle for their customers, and now they are looking to not only eliminate poor window conditions, but also poor living conditions. Advanced Window Products believes in building a better community and giving back both locally and globally to positively change lives all over the world.

They are now sending some of their award-winning service overseas to Ghana. Nick Orchard, son of Advanced Window Products owner Dave Orchard, co-founded the Zenith International Charity (ZIC), a charity focused on helping the underdeveloped villages in Ghana strive for a better community and become more self-sufficient. ZIC wants to see that these Ghanaian villages get the resources needed to increase their standard of living and eventually become completely independent.

The idea of starting ZIC came to Nick after he completed a 2-year mission in Ghana. He realized that he still had a lot to offer and really believed he could improve the community in which he was staying. Thus, Nick pulled together some of the committed Ghana citizens and created ZIC.

AWP is proud to say that they are the primary contributors to ZIC, and the company is really looking forward to seeing the impact that it can make on an overseas community with the help of Nick.

Bringing Clean Water to Ghana

One of the most widespread issues in Ghana is their substantial lack of clean water. According to WaterAid UK, 3.3 million people in the Ghana communities lack an improved water source, and 86% don’t even have access to improved sanitation. The most tragic statistic of them all—over 3,000 children under the age of five die annually due to poor water and sanitation.

Many Ghanaians suffer from waterborne diseases that they are unable to prevent and provide treatment for. The biggest problem is diarrhea, which can further dehydrate a person, causing a vicious cycle. 25% of deaths in Ghanaian children under the age of 5 are caused by diarrhea. The infant mortality rate is also a big problem caused by health complications due to lack of clean water. The infant mortality rate in Ghana is 5% compared to just .6% in the US. Many times, a Ghana family will spend hours every day walking to collect water from a muddy pit that is also used by animals, carrying heavy buckets over long distances in the hot sun. This has to be done because many water supplies will dry up once dry season hits. Therefore, Ghana, with widespread disease and 25 million people to look after, is in dire need of help from charities like ZIC.

Zenith International Charity Completes First Project

ZIC strives to make Ghanaian villages more sustainable, and they have completed their first project which does just that. ZIC and the citizens of the Ekorso village in Ghana have built a water-well, successfully giving the entire village access to clean water due to a substantially subsidized price that makes the water affordable to all community members. The well will be managed by village leaders, who are more than capable of handling such a task. “The people we work with have an equal amount of ability and intelligence as we; they have just been deprived of opportunity and resources,” says Nick Orchard.

The water-well serves as a source of employment for the villagers, and it is already generating revenue for the Ekorso community, which is used for wages, maintenance of the well, and investing in future projects. Each village agrees to contribute excess revenue back into future ZIC projects to help expand the availability of clean water in Ghana. Therefore, every community involved will be making a difference in their neighboring villages.

Advanced Window Products Makes a Large-Scale Difference

Click the Photo to DONATE and Help Bring Clean Water to the People of Ghana

Advanced Window Products’s contributions to ZIC are vital to the degree of success that is achieved in creating wells for the communities of Ghana. In addition to making a difference in other parts of the world, Advanced Window Products is also making a difference in the US by being an Earthwise company. They are teamed up with 16 other window manufacturers that are focused on reducing America’s carbon footprint by developing windows that progressively reduce a household’s energy usage.

In addition to being a large contributor to ZIC, Advanced Window Products is also a regular contributor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a widely recognized organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. At the 2013 fundraiser in Salt Lake City, Advanced Window Products took part in granting 115 wishes to the children of the organization.

They have taken under their wing a boy named Alex who is 4 years old and battles with Leukemia. Advanced Window Products is working with the Make-A-Wish foundation to make sure that Alex is sent on a dream vacation with his family to give them lasting memories and hope for the future. Buying from Advanced Window Products also helps us to support Make-A-Wish.

Another good cause that Advanced Window Products takes part in is the Habitat for Humanity Program in Salt Lake Valley. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit that seeks to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness throughout the world. Salt Lake Valley is the largest Habitat for Humanity affiliate, building neighborhoods and changing lives one house at a time.

This all means that each customer of Advanced Window Products is contributing to making a difference for families in Ghana, as well as reducing their own carbon footprints, something that anyone would be proud to take part in. Everyone who is a part of Advanced Window Products, staff and customers alike, is a contributor to creating a large-scale difference in suffering areas of the world. In this sense, business truly does become personal.

Sliding Glass Memories

Posted on September 19, 2014January 23, 2026 by import

Owning a second home can be a springboard for family fun, but what about their upkeep? Listen to one customer talk about her family cabin and how Advanced Window Products not only helped repair the windows, but will help make memory making more comfortable for years to come.

“There is a place up in the mountains tucked in a valley of lush green grasses, aspens and pines. This is the land of my fathers. Six generations have been coming here and when I visit I feel like I have come home. One of my greatest joys is to share with my own children the trails, the vistas and the adventures that only unfold to nature’s imagination.

Included in the history of this beautiful place are oral stories of our family. There are tales of hiking across mountain ranges; we share stories of little kids collecting vast amounts of slimy amphibians that they kept in the bathtub until Great Aunt Beth discovered their whereabouts; and we laugh from the lore about Uncle Ted falling asleep in the outhouse when he was a kid, which caused a frenzy across the valley to find the family’s missing son.

For me, the family cabin represents connection to the earth, and appreciation for my heritage. For my children, the family cabin represents an enormous portal into nature.

With hundreds of snowfall inches and harsh cold temperatures in the winter, followed by intense heat in the the summer, there is a lot of natural wear and tear on the property. For nearly 30 years this building has stood tucked right above the Weber River, in a forest of aspens and pines, overlooking a vast grassland valley. It is breathtaking, but starting to wear. One of the challenges in particular are the windows. A few of the glass panes have broken, requiring replacement windows. Many of the original windows were not installed properly, causing an oven baking effect during the warm summer months as western sun slides down the panoramic mountain view.

Advanced Window Products sent a member of their team up to our cabin to measure for the project. The new vinyl windows seamlessly integrate into the natural wood atmosphere, both inside and outside the cabin. The vinyl is a warm, natural beige color. What I love most about these new windows, is that it is so easy to open the side window to let a heaven sent breeze flow throughout the cabin. Similar to the scent of Salt Lake City after a rain storm, being tucked into nature smells clean, fresh, and alive.

I appreciate Advanced Window Products taking the extra effort to care for my family cabin. Behind the scenes, caring for a second property can be a lot of work. The payoff to the maintenance is creating lasting memories for generations to come. If you have a second property that is used for recreation like a cabin, condo or home; or if you own rental properties that require updates and maintenance, call Advanced Windows Products for all of your replacement window needs.“ – Sarah, Draper, Utah

Sliding Glass Doors: A Homeowner’s Guide

Posted on September 10, 2014January 21, 2026 by import

Are you thinking about adding sliding glass doors to your home as an entrance or exit for a patio, the back yard, a deck, or a screened porch? Sliding glass doors make an excellent addition to any home. They are attractive and utilitarian at the same time. They can make your house more cheerful by letting in more light, and can even increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it. Here is everything you need to know about installing and using sliding glass doors at your house.

Measuring for the Correct Size of Sliding Glass Door

You will probably be installing your sliding glass doors in a pre-existing opening. This is the easiest way to do it. You can also cut out a custom hole in your wall or extend an existing doorway if that works best for your situation.

First–Determine the opening dimensions you will need to fit your doors. Do this before purchasing any doors. You may have to special order custom doors to fit the type of opening or space for an opening that is available to you.
Second–Measure horizontally across the top and bottom of the opening or space for an opening. You also must measure vertically on the sides. If you’re using a pre-existing opening, it might not be totally square or rectangular, and will need adjusting.
Third–Choose a set of doors that are approximately 1/4″ smaller than your measurements on all sides.

Sliding Glass Doors Frame Materials

Sliding glass doors move along a frame. The frame has tracks that the rollers on the doors can move across so the doors slide with ease. The two frame materials that are the most common with sliding glass doors are wood and vinyl.

Whether you use wood or vinyl is largely a personal decorating choice. You will also want to consider the ease with which the doors you select will move along the frame you choose. Vinyl is more durable. Wood is more environmentally friendly, and can be adjusted to go with rustic, vintage, and shabby chic decors.

The Glass in Your Sliding Door

When you are shopping for your sliding glass doors, take the type of glass you will be using into consideration. Believe it or not, not all glass is created equally. There is Low-E glass, for example, which is an energy efficient type of glass that will keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, even when your blinds are open. It also protects the interior contents of your home from UV damage.

Single pane glass is the basic type of glass and is the cheapest. However, it won’t give you any of the special protections of other types of glass. If you are considering using single pane glass due to budget reasons, you should upgrade at the very least to double pane glass. This will give you extra protection from wind damage in storms and will keep direct sunlight from being too hot when it shines into the house. It is also more resistant to shattering in case of break-ins or freezing conditions.

Choice of Screens

You have a wide variety of screens available to you if you want to use screens. Some people choose to not use screens and have their doors open up to the outside directly. If you would like to open your sliding glass doors and allow some natural coolness in while you turn off your air conditioner, or would like to keep the doors open while keeping pets inside then you will want to use a screen.

Solar screens that protect from UV rays are popular. Pet resistant screens that your pet cannot scratch through are good for pet owners. Retractable screens are an excellent choice if you only want to use your screen sometimes, while going without it at other times. Just look for a screen with a very fine mesh, as this will keep out even the smallest of insects. This will allow you to enjoy your sliding glass doors to the fullest extent possible, any time of year.

Features of Sliding Glass Doors

The best sliding glass doors are strong and weather-resistant. You should also consider getting doors with hollow-core multi-thermal extrusion. This features increased the structural integrity of the doors, as well as their energy efficiency.

Benefits of Sliding Glass Doors

Not only are they attractive and useful, sliding glass doors have many other benefits, as well. Depending on the type you get, they may be energy efficient, which will reduce your heating and cooling costs (sometimes significantly). Saving money is always a good thing!

Sliding glass doors are also resistant to outside sounds. They will make the room or rooms where you keep them very quiet and peaceful, as you will not easily be able to hear all the traffic, barking dogs, screaming kids, arguing adults, loud music from nearby parties, or any other noises in your neighborhood. Your sliding glass door room or rooms will be an oasis of tranquility.

Further, sliding glass doors are resistant to most types of bad weather. With modern technology built into the glass, these doors will keep your home safe in case of nearly any undesirable outdoor weather situation. By making your house cheaper to run, plus quieter and safer, why wouldn’t you want sliding glass doors in all the rooms you can put them in?

Advanced Window Products and You

When you are looking for sliding glass doors for your home, you should never look farther than Advanced Window Products. We offer zero percent financing on doors and installation. Our products are environmentally friendly, as we maintain a commitment to providing earth-safe goods to the area. We are a locally owned and operated business here in Utah, so shopping with us will help improve the local economy. Plus, all of our products are handmade in the United States in our very own warehouse….no outsourcing to other nations! You will get the sliding glass doors you want at a price you can afford, and with a company you can feel good about using. It doesn’t get any better than that, so shop with us today!

Pre-Made vs Custom Made Vinyl Windows Utah

Posted on August 19, 2014January 31, 2026 by import

Let’s talk about pre-made vs custom-made vinyl windows Utah! You can easily compartmentalize all retail products into two categories; pre-made and custom made. As with most home improvement projects, you have two routes for your replacement windows, out of the box, or custom made just for you.

Pre-Made Windows

Many homes have windows that are about the same size. Regardless of when they were built, or who manufactured the product. So, you can go to the big box store and pick up new windows. Then just pop out the old ones and pop in the new ones. The cost per window can be really inexpensive. The challenge with this scenario is that the windows are almost perfect, but not quite. The discord between the replacement window and your actual window opening can require additional labor. Such as dry wall. Often even exterior work such as brick or stucco to blend the window to your home. That inexpensive pre made window can turn into an expensive window with all the to modifying, rebuilding and tweaking to ensure a snug fit.

Custom Made Windows

At Advanced Window Products we hand craft each window for every customer. Before you receive an official quote, we measure every window. This is especially helpful when you realize that your home may have shifted from its perfect horizontal level since it was built originally. Because the windows are all made specifically for each home, and each window, you can be sure it will fit perfectly into your home. The most common heralding praises we hear from our raving fans include, “Installation was quick, and effective.” “My energy bill dropped instantly.” “Your guys were in and out fast, and they even cleaned up after themselves.” What we are not hearing about are complaints from the additional cost of time and money to fix, repair, or widen window openings after the new windows are installed.

Let’s Break Out the Tape Measure

You choose which mode of home improvement works more effectively for your desired outcome. Regardless of which route you go, we invite you to request a free, no obligation quote from Advanced Window Products. Many of our customers outfit their whole house with new windows for around $100 per month with our 0% financing option. Give us a call today!

Window Style Guide

Posted on August 13, 2014February 24, 2026 by import

Replacement Window Options for Your Home

When it comes to choosing replacement windows for your home, there are many options to choose from. In fact, with so many possibilities, you may even be feeling a bit overwhelmed as a homeowner when it comes to choosing replacement windows for your home. We’d like to assist you by offering brief descriptions of the various types of replacement windows and their benefits. Armed with this knowledge, we hope you’ll be in a better place to choose replacement windows for your home after reading this article.

Casement Windows

Casement windows are the most common type of window found in most homes and can be either single-hung or double-hung, depending on the homeowner’s wants and needs. Specifically, casement windows are attached to frames and hinged on the sides, making them easy to open and close. Casement windows are a great option for most homeowners because they offer maximum views and have essentially endless possibilities when it comes to their design. For example, homeowners can decide which style of casement windows they want, how many panes they want, what shapes and sizes of panes they desire, and just about every other aspect of the window design itself. This level of customization simply isn’t available with many other types of windows. Plus, since casements are relatively easy to install and can be made as simple or complex as the homeowner desires, they also tend to be among the most affordable window options.

Slider Windows / Glider Windows

These terms are often used interchangeably, as they both refer to the same style of window. Slider windows can be single- or double-hung and are very common in residential homes. They open by sliding horizontally, typically with one pane going behind another in the case of single slider windows, but some glider windows have multiple panes so they can open by sliding towards the center of the window from either side, such as with double slider windows. This is great for providing maximum air ventilation in the home.

At the same time, slider windows are ideal for many homeowners because they’re known to be durable and long-lasting due to the fact that the window sash is well supported by its frame design. Since these windows don’t need to swing open on either side, they’re also great for saving space while letting in plenty of daylight.

Many homeowners enjoy glider windows because they also offer flexibility in terms of how much air ventilation they let in. It’s easy to open these windows just a crack or completely depending on how much air you want to let into your home. This cannot be said with some other types of windows, such as tilt windows, which usually have just two positions: completely open or completely closed.

Bay/Bow Windows

Unlike glider and slider windows, there actually is a significant difference between a bay window and a bow window. While both windows are built into casements that protrude from the home’s exterior, a bow window also bows outward from the casement to offer even more interior space. With a bay window, on the other hand, only the casement itself protrudes from the home’s exterior.

Bay and bow windows are beautiful designs and are great for making an architectural statement in the home. Furthermore, a bow window offers extra square footage where a traditional window style simply cannot. Both bow and bay windows are excellent for adding a decorative touch while also providing great views. Bay and bow windows can both be customized to include several panes or as few as three panes, depending on the homeowner’s desires.

As you can see, there are many different window types to consider when it comes to your replacement windows. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what the differences between the most common types of residential windows are, and what advantages they come with. Be sure to consider this information as you shop for your new windows so that you can determine the replacement windows that will be best for your home. And, as always, be sure to contact Advanced Window Products for your Utah replacement windows or if you have additional questions, we carry many lines of wood and vinyl windows to suit every taste.

3 Signs It Might Be Time to Replace the Windows in Your Home

Posted on July 18, 2014January 31, 2026 by import

When Is It Time to Replace Your Windows?

Simple and elegant, a household’s windows are as much about function as they are about form. They provide home security, regulate and control home temperatures, and are stylish portals into the outside world.

If your home is getting “up there” in age, or you just want to keep your home in tip-top shape, check out our list of questions to ask about the state of your windows.

Do your windows function properly?

All of your windows should:

Let in light
Open and close to regulate air flow
Shut securely
Effectively protect your home temperature from outside temperature

If any of your home windows, from those in your basement to your attic, clearly fail to accomplish these tasks, you need a window replacement.

Do they open/close easily?

Go around your home and physically check your windows. Undo any lock or latch on each individual window, and open up the window as far or as wide as it will go. It should move rather smoothly from a fully closed position to a fully open position.

If it doesn’t, clean its hinge or tracks. If, after cleaning, it still does not fully open or close with ease, then you need a replacement window.

Is there any air leaking in?

Close your window and lock it. Start feeling around the edges and seams for open air pockets. This works particularly well when the temperatures inside the house and outside the house contrast with one another.

Air leakage may also manifest in the form of condensation or water droplets, which can lead to mold developing around the corners of the window. In the winter, your windows may even freeze. If you catch the problem soon enough, you may be able to fix the problem by adding gasket or foam insulation.

Is the window currently broken or in need of replacement parts?

During your inspection, broken or missing parts should become obvious. Is your window lock easy to use and does it secure the window? Is the window glass cracked or shattered? Are the treads on the window worn or dirty? Do you have a window screen?

If the answers to any of these questions fail to satisfy you, get the part or the entire window replaced. It’s simple to do and you are certain to make your money back in energy savings. Call 801-505-9622 to request a free window replacement bid from Advanced Window Products today!

How to Get Your Energy Efficient Utah Tax Credit for Windows You Purchased in 2013

Posted on April 22, 2014February 19, 2026 by import

Purchasing new windows not only helps your home look beautiful, it decreases your monthly energy costs, and you can qualify for cash back upon installation. Currently, there are two programs offered; one from Rocky Mountain Power, and the other from Dominion Energy. On the day of your installation, you will receive a packet of information from Advanced Window Products with all of the detailed information. It is easy to receive your rebate check. Simply fill out the applications, include a copy of your sales contract, copies of your NFRC labels and proof of payment in full. If you have questions or have lost something, do not hesitate to call our office. We can help.

When you replace your windows, you will decrease your energy footprint while maintaining your ideal indoor temperature. This upgrade, multiplied across the community, dramatically helps improve air quality and decrease emissions. As a special thank you for doing your part for the environment, you can enjoy a total of $1.45 per square foot in rebate money!

Standard glass and frames which are builder grade in your windows act as a conduit to the outside temperatures. In the searing summer and in the cold winter your energy actually leaks from your windows, causing your utility bills to sky rocket. At Advanced Window Products our double pane glass has three invisible layers of silver. This reflective material repels the hot or cold. Plus, all our windows are filled with argon, a stubborn, lazy natural element that doesn’t budge for anything. This natural barrier between your indoor sanctuary and the outdoor temperatures ensures a tranquil, cost efficient dwelling year round for you and all of your loved ones.

Check out this short video. Our thermal imaging cameras actually show what a huge percentage of your home leaks all of your cold or warm air.

When it comes to the environment, it is easy to think that your simple contributions don’t matter. The truth is, there are thousands of homeowners across this great state. If each contributed in a small way to decreasing our energy output, we would all feel the ripple effects of cleaner air, and lower energy costs.

Here are a few useful tips to receive a rebate from Rocky Mountain Power.

You qualify for a $0.50 per square foot rebate.
Your Incentive Application must be postmarked within 90 days of the installation being completed. Within 45 days, you will receive your incentive check from Rocky Mountain Power, and must paid out to the account holder, or verified third party payee.
Be sure to save your National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) window stickers for processing.
For more information about Rocky Mountain’s program, click here.

Dominion Energy Rebates

The ThermWiseTM program gives you $0.95 as a rebate, after your Advanced Window Products have been installed.
For more information about the ThermWiseTM, program or to learn about the current available rebates, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to read a list of Frequently Asked Questions from our Advanced Window Products customers.

Spending to Save: The Ultimate Guide to Home Efficiency Improvements

Posted on April 15, 2014January 20, 2026 by import

One of the main ideas behind home efficiency improvements is that you have to spend money to save money. While this seems counterintuitive, it adds up when you examine it further–although home efficiency improvements cost money initially, they save you money in the long run by lowering heating and cooling bills and reducing the amount of energy required for you to live comfortably. And, although home efficiency projects cost money to start, many can be included on your Federal Tax Return, making you eligible for tax credits for consumer energy efficiency.

Aside from being financially beneficial, home efficiency improvements are also environmentally friendly. Using less energy at your home has several positive environmental consequences including less burning of fossil fuels and a decrease in air pollution.

Treating and Updating Windows

If you think about everyday examples, you quickly realize that glass doesn’t block hot or cold temperatures. When you bake a cake in a glass pan, the glass allows the hot air from the oven to cook the cake, and a glass mug filled with ice water almost instantly becomes cooler. Considering these real-life examples, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that regular glass windows are not energy efficient. Luckily, there are many ways to improve the efficiency of windows and save money.

Recent technological advances in the science of efficient windows have made many options available to consumers. A low-cost option is to treat windows with coatings that insulate the pane and prevent outside temperatures from modifying air inside of the home. Many of these coatings come in DIY packages, but most window companies can also apply insulating coats to your windows professionally.

If your windows are old or damaged, replacing them is likely a more effective method. When installing new windows in a home, there are various ways you can save energy and increase efficiency. One of these methods focuses on the climate where you live. In areas with mostly cold temperatures, energy is lost through windows when cold air outside causes the warm air inside the house to lose heat. To prevent this, windows for cool climates are treated with a coating that prevents heat loss by absorbing heat instead of reflecting it. Conversely, special coatings can be applied to windows in hot climates so that sunlight is reflected and the windowpane and the air inside the home are not heated as much as they would be with regular windows.

In addition to climate-specific coatings and tints, there are several general ways that the efficiency of windows can be increased. Creating windows with two panes of glass instead of one is a common method to improve efficiency. The double-paned windows don’t allow as much hot or cold air to flow between the window and the outside environment. Efficiency in double-paned windows can be even further improved when the space between the panes is filled with an inert gas that further resists the flow of heat. Even the correct choice of window frames can help save money on your energy bill by preventing heat flow and sealing all possible airflow locations.

Adding and Improving Insulation

Insulation works by creating a buffer between outside temperatures and the heated or cooled air in your home. Adding or updating insulation can lower your heating and cooling bills tremendously. An easy way to use insulation to improve energy efficiency is to insulate your upstairs, attic, or basement. Many homes (especially older homes) don’t have insulation in these areas, which causes your heater or air conditioner to use more energy to keep the temperature in your home constant. In homes where the attic or basement are unfinished (there is no drywall), installing insulation can be a relatively easy DIY project.

A more intensive change involving insulation is to re-insulate your home using more energy efficient materials. There are a variety of insulation options and it is easy to select a material that is right for you and your home. For example, foam board and rigid board provide a high level of insulation but are not very thick. Spray foam insulation is energy efficient and can be sprayed into finished areas of a home without causing damage to existing walls.

If you are building a new home or have made plans to remodel your current home, energy efficient insulators can be built into the foundation and walls of your construction. Concrete block insulation is a method where insulating foam boards are placed in between or outside of concrete blocks during construction, reducing heat flow between the home and the outside environment. Rather than place the foam board in between the blocks, some construction companies produce concrete that already has insulators mixed in with it. Both of these methods serve to moderate indoor temperatures and provide an extra barrier against outside temperatures. Reflective systems can also be installed in new construction or major renovation projects. This insulation system involves fitting reflecting foil or film between wood-frame studs, joists, rafters, and beams in a home. The reflective surface moderates temperature and decreases energy costs.

Replacing and Maintaining Appliances and Equipment

The equipment and appliances present in your home might be costing you money and wasting energy. Less efficient models of heaters, air conditioners, washers, dryers, and ovens use more electricity, gas, or water than their updated counterparts. A great way to improve efficiency in your home is to invest in energy efficient appliances. If purchasing new appliances is too expensive, regularly maintaining appliances is a great way to save energy.

About 29% of the energy the average household uses in a year comes from heating costs, meaning replacing your furnace is a great way to improve efficiency. If you can’t afford to completely replace your air conditioning or heating unit, look into installing a programmable thermostat. These thermostats prevent energy waste by allowing you to customize your heating or cooling schedule. For example, you can program your thermostat to turn off the air conditioning at night or heat your home less during the day when you are at work.

Replacing other household appliances like washers and dryers, ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers with energy efficient models is a simple way to save money and reduce energy costs. Energy efficient models of appliances are engineered to use less energy but still provide great results. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star Program makes it easy to compare and select energy efficient appliances.

If purchasing new appliances is too costly for you, having a contractor come and check-up on your furnace, air conditioning unit, refrigerator, and other equipment can help you save money. Often appliances have minor problems that don’t prevent them from working but decrease their efficiency. Having a skilled expert come and check-up on your appliances regularly can help you fix these small problems and keep your equipment running efficiently.

Air and Duct Sealing

Almost every home has small holes or cracks that allow air from outside to get inside. Often, these cracks are located close to windows and doors, but they can be anywhere. Sealing these cracks is a great way to reduce energy costs and is relatively easy. If you notice that a particular area of your home is cooler or hotter than the rest, see if you can find a hole or crack in the walls or floor. Patching these holes prevents outside air from seeping into your home.

Sealing and repairing ducts is also a great way to save energy. If your air ducts are not sealed, heated or cooled air could be escaping from them and not reaching the destination. In other words, if your ducts are not sealed your heated and cooled air could be spilling into the duct spaces located in your floor or ceiling, not into the rooms of your house. By sealing air ducts and repairing any damages, you can ensure that all of the hot and cold air generated by your furnace or air conditioner is ending up in the right location.

Purchasing Energy Efficient Doors

You might be surprised to learn that a significant amount of cold and hot air escapes through your door every day, but it’s true. Air can slip out through the space between the door and the floor, can seep in through cracks between the hinges and the wall, and can come in every time the door is opened. A smart and easy way to improve efficiency in your home is to purchase energy efficient doors for all entryways that come in direct contact with the air outside.

Energy efficient doors are made of insulated materials that prevent the transfer of heat through the door. This means that when it is hot or cold outside, the door prevents heat transfer between your air conditioned or heated home and the outside weather. By preventing this transfer, energy efficient doors reduce your energy costs. If you want extra insulation against outside weather, consider getting a screen door in addition to an energy efficient door. Screen doors that are coated with energy efficient treatments can provide further insulation for your home.

If purchasing energy efficient doors isn’t a feasible option for you, there are several other steps you can take. Consider painting your door a color that will benefit you based on your climate. For example, if you live in a warm climate, painting your door white will reflect light and heat from the surface and will prevent your doorway from overheating. Similarly, if you live in a cool climate consider painting your door a dark color like black or brown. The dark pigments will absorb light and can help keep your entryway warm. Another less expensive way to reduce heat transfer at your door is purchasing rugs or carpets that can block the space under the door and prevent air from coming in and going out.

5 Minute Self Roof Inspection Can Save You Thousands!

Posted on November 26, 2013 by import

Have you ever stopped to think about your roof? Most likely you go about about your day, with work, kids, house, school and the never ending to-do list without a thought about what’s overhead, that is until something goes wrong. Your house is the biggest investment that you will ever make, and its your roof that protects your whole house, and life. A roof keeps your family warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. It prevents the natural elements from whipping their way into your world. It literally protects all of your belongings.

Most of our customers who invest time and money into researching their roof’s needs come to us after they notice a problem.

With winter at our doorstep, now is a great time to take a few minutes in examining your roof’s well being. The next four months will give Utah homeowners temperature fluctuations that are renowned for expanding and contracting minor problems into large catastrophes. Water can freeze and thaw several times per week in the winter months, depending on the weather patterns. If water stalls as puddles on your roof or rain gutters, and transforms to ice, then water, then to ice again, major problems can form.

Faulty roofs can:

cause water damage inside your walls
destroy the interior paint
create a perfect environment for mold growth
damage your attic’s insulation and infrastructure
crack or damage your home’s exterior

What are the clues that your roof is leaking?

Damage can cost thousands to fix, you know that. But what are the small signs that something isn’t quite right? Here are four easy ways to identify you may have a problem.

Bubbling paint
Ice damns in your rain gutters or roof
Mold in your attic
Blocked vents in your attic

What can you do?

Sometimes a small fix such as adding heat tape or ice flashing can ensure that winter water will congregate underground where it is supposed to be, rather than overhead where they will wreck havoc. If a major repair or replacement is required, we can offer 0% financing options for those who qualify. We’ve been helping homeowners with their overhead worries for 26 years. We can help you too. Call or click today!