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With more people growing increasingly mindful of energy efficiency, including it as a highly practical New Year’s resolution is an emerging trend. Becoming more energy-efficient is a matter of evaluating your various options to reduce emissions and your overall carbon footprint. Switching to an electric vehicle would be an example of a resolution that promotes energy efficiency. Another example would be upgrading your windows in Melbourne with advanced insulated glass that retains cool air in the summer and helps keep the heat inside when temperatures drop.
Energy-saving windows are part of a new way of designing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. By incorporating these windows into your home, you can significantly reduce your energy consumption, lower your monthly utility bills, and create a more comfortable living environment for all seasons. When combined with weatherstripping and insulation techniques, these windows can substantially increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit.
More homeowners in Melbourne and across Florida are choosing energy-efficient windows for new construction projects and property upgrades. At Sunset View Windows and Doors, we have seen an increase in requests for new window installations and replacements from homeowners interested in making their HVAC systems more efficient. With this in mind, let’s review the reasons you should consider upgrading to energy-saving windows in 2025 and the type of insulated glass that will work better in your property.
Understanding ENERGY STAR 7.0 Standards for Windows
In October 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new standards for doors, skylights, and windows designed to deliver optimal energy efficiency. The new standards are stricter and more comprehensive; they vary according to regional climate factors, and they must be independently certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
The NFRC criteria for ENERGY STAR windows include the following:
- U-Factor
- Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)
- Air leakage
- Visible Transmittance (VT)
The U-Factor measures the quality of the insulation provided by windows; essentially, a low U-Factor means that the glass is efficient at slowing heat transfer. The material properties of glass to block solar heat are measured by SHGC, and the air leakage measurement determines how quickly air can escape around a closed window. With the VT measurement, you get to know how much visible sunlight and glare can pass through.
Homes with windows that meet ENERGY STAR 7.0 standards are more energy-efficient than those that have traditional glass installed. Energy-saving windows have been available since the 1980s, but their efficiency was considerably boosted in the 1990s thanks to advances in material technology and installation techniques. The raw material is vinyl enhanced with invisible metal coatings applied to the glass to reflect heat; plus, they feature double and triple panes with an air space that provides an insulating barrier to reduce heat transfer. This space is filled with inert gases like argon or krypton, which have low thermal conductivity, thus enhancing insulation.
The Role of Energy-Efficient Windows in Modern HVAC Systems
When you install energy-saving windows, you improve the insulation and weatherstripping factors of your home’s indoor climate control system. These windows help maintain a more consistent and comfortable indoor temperature by reducing drafts, cooling hot spots, keeping heat gain to a minimum, and minimizing heat loss during low-temperature periods.
NFRC-certified windows significantly reduce the burden on HVAC systems, resulting in lower monthly bills. This lower energy consumption translates into a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, thus contributing to a more sustainable home environment. According to EPA estimates, windows with ENERGY STAR 7.0 certifications deliver an average savings of $280 per year in cooling and heating costs.
Other Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows
Beyond making your HVAC system run more efficiently, the advanced ultraviolet (UV) coatings of energy-saving windows provide two other household benefits in terms of protection. The UV coatings filter the intense sunlight we get in Melbourne, thus safeguarding valuable home furnishings and protecting them against fading and deterioration. There’s also a health benefit in the sense that you can bask in natural sunlight without being directly exposed to unfiltered UV rays.
Selecting the Right Energy-Saving Windows for Your Home
Sunset View Windows and Doors works with PGT, one of the most respected brands in the door and window industry, to offer the best energy-efficient glass solutions in Melbourne. The three PGT window lines ideal for Space Coast homes are WinGuard, ClassicVue, and EnergyVue. All three windows provide various degrees of impact resistance and energy efficiency; however, installing EnergyVue windows gives you the product with the highest ENERGY STAR ratings.
If your home is located in a spot with a high potential of being struck by flying objects during tropical storms and hurricanes, ClassicVue and WinGuard are recommended more than EnergyVue. If there are natural or structural protective barriers around your home, you can maximize energy efficiency with EnergyVue windows, which are also impact-resistant, albeit lower than WinGuard and ClassicVue. When our professionals visit your property for an inspection and estimate, they can recommend the most appropriate PGT window line.
PGT windows are not only functional; they also offer a nice variety of frames, colors, designs, and tints to boost the curb appeal of your property. The National Association of REALTORS ranks window and door replacement as one of the top five remodeling activities to improve curb appeal and increase home values. As previously mentioned, all PGT windows installed by Sunset View Windows and Doors are rated for impact resistance, thus meeting the hurricane building codes of the Sunshine State.
You can choose from many window and door styles. In your Florida room or covered lanai, for example, sliding glass doors offer smooth operation and enhanced security. French doors are stylish options that can be adorned with European-style frames and hardware for added elegance.
PGT frames can match the architectural style of your house. Casement windows with side hinges are ideal for Caribbean-style homes. Double-hung frames with removable sashes are ideal for Florida ranch-style homes that feature sunrooms and lanais. Horizontal roller windows are suitable for contemporary home design, particularly in the kitchen and bathrooms. If you appreciate natural lighting and ventilation, awning windows are highly recommended. Coastal, Craftsman, Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, and Tuscan-style homes deserve fixed architectural windows, particularly when they feature higher rooflines and second floors.
You can also choose special window features ranging from the glass type to frame color and from tint to grid styles. Available frame colors include beige, black, bronze, and white. The panes can be clear or tinted in azure, bronze, gray, or green tones. Your glass options include insulated, privacy, and tempered panes. Grid styles include colonial and prairie. When installing PGT glass doors, you can select contemporary, curved, or raised handles for sliding models; French doors get more elegant handles in classic, contemporary, or curved styles.
Want to Know More About Energy-Efficient Windows?
If energy efficiency is part of your New Year’s resolutions in Melbourne, Sunset View Windows and Doors is here to help you keep them. Contact our office today to learn more about installing energy-saving windows and how they can keep your home cooler while lowering your monthly bills. We also offer installation and repair services for entry, French, and sliding glass doors.
