A New View Of Energy Savings (NAPS)—Sometimes solving one problem creates another. For example, during the building heyday of the 1990s, energy savings took a back seat to profits and productivity. As a result many energy-saving window technologies were overlooked in order to mass-produce windows. Fortunately, that mentality is changing, particularly in light of the most recent rise in energy costs. Conserving energy is once again important to consumers. That’s why it’s important to understand that the glass package offered in the windows you choose can determine the kinds of costs you will incur during both the heating and cooling seasons. If you are building or renovating your home, ask your builder or contractor to show you the support literature they have received on the low-e glass, gas-filling and warm edge technology that is used in the windows. Whenit comes to choosing the high-performance insulated windows that can complement the character of a home, it is important to remember that thermal resistance in the spacer system plays an extremely important role in energy savings. The edgeof an insulating glass unit is indeed the most vulnerable to heat and cooling loss, condensation andfrosting. The type of spacer material in your windows can make or break dient By % A opi ys nga Zan The design of the window systems used in a home can play a role in reducing energy costs. your investment. If a metal-based insulating glass spacer is used in the windows, be aware that metal- based spacers can lose up to 50 percentof the stated R-values. Onealternative is to use anallfoam glass spacer, such as Super Spacer NO-Metal insulating glass spacer. It is one of the energy-conscious products that was introduced in the 1980s during the energy crisis. Super Spacer’s NO-Metalformula is said to block the heat (or cold) escape path and provide one of the best thermal performances in the industry. That means it keeps more of the heat in during the winter months and more of the cool in during the summer months. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.superspacer.com.
