When you see moisture on your windows, it isn’t necessarily a sign that something is wrong. While interior condensation can sometimes result from a failing windowpane seal, most often, it’s simply a result of humidity in the air. The water you see is condensation from the warm air meeting the cooler glass, like when a cold beverage sweats on a hot summer day.

In fact, condensation may be more noticeable on high-quality windows since they are so energy efficient, indicating that your windows have good tight seals. The things that make homes more energy efficient—weather stripping, high-quality insulation, vapor barriers, and windows and patio doors that reduce air leakage—also lock moisture inside your house.

Moisture is a part of everyday life. Anytime someone takes a shower or cooks, it increases indoor humidity. In British Columbia, where the fall and winters are especially wet and cold, it’s important to keep indoor humidity only as high as you need it. When you see interior window condensation, it’s a sign to lower the humidity.

A few quick and easy ways to do this include:

1. Opening the blinds and drapes to let moisture-laden air escape.
2. Raising the air temperature in your home (turning the heat on will decrease relative humidity).
3. Turning on ceiling fans to improve air circulation.
4. Running exhaust fans in the kitchen while cooking and in the bathroom while showering or bathing. Leave the fan running for 15 minutes after you’ve finished to clear out lingering moisture.

It’s essential to manage humidity inside your home for its overall health, not just to manage condensation. Excess interior moisture can lead to swelling wood, mold or mildew, musty odours, discoloration, and cracking or blistering paint. Remember that wiping condensation off windows, especially wood or vinyl, is essential. Prolonged condensation can lead to mold, rot, or leaky seals. Use a towel, paper towel, microfiber cloth, or squeegee to wipe away excess moisture.

Want to know more? Take a look at this short video on understanding condensation.

Are you considering upgrading some of your older windows with new, energy-efficient ones? Give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We offer window and door replacement services in the Greater Vancouver Area, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River, and the Okanagan.

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What Is SHGC?

SHGC is a measure of how much solar radiation passes through a window and contributes to the heating of your home. It is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat the window allows to pass through and the better it is at blocking heat gain.

Understanding SHGC is crucial when selecting windows, especially in areas with hot summers or generally sunny climates. In such locations, a lower SHGC can help keep your home cooler and reduce your air conditioning costs.

What Is U-Value?

U-value, on the other hand, measures the rate at which a window conducts non-solar heat transfer. It indicates how well a window insulates your home from outside temperatures, whether it’s hot or cold. A lower U-value means the window has a better insulating property, helping maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reducing energy consumption.

When you live in a cold region or an area that experiences significant temperature fluctuations, U-value is an essential factor to consider. Choosing windows with a low U-value can help reduce heating costs during winter and maintain a comfortable indoor environment.

Replacement Windows in Vancouver

Our variable climate here in Vancouver means energy efficiency should be a top priority for homeowners. Understanding SHGC and U-value ratings will help you choose windows that not only improve your home’s comfort but also reduce energy consumption, resulting in lower utility bills. Selecting the right windows based on their performance ratings can also increase the overall value of your home. Checking window performance ratings can be overwhelming, but Renewal by Andersen® can provide you with valuable guidance. For quality windows and installation services, reach out to the experts at Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia. We offer window services in the Greater Vancouver Area, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Campbell River.

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1. Enhanced Curb Appeal

New windows can give your home a fresh and updated look that will boost its value. Whether you choose traditional or contemporary styles, the right window choices will instantly improve the appearance of your property and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

2. Improved Home Security

Installing high-quality windows can help you feel more secure in your home. They provide an extra layer of protection against intruders and the elements, letting you rest easy knowing that your family is safe. In addition, modern locking systems offer enhanced security features that will make it difficult for anyone to break into your home.

3. Increased Energy-Efficiency

Today’s windows are much more efficient than they used to be. When you choose ENERGY-STAR® certified windows, you can be sure that your new windows will keep your home comfortable throughout the year thanks to their superior insulation and air-tight seals. This increased efficiency also reduces your carbon footprint and helps you save money.

4. Improved Home Insulation

Modern windows are designed to provide better insulation than older models, which can save you money on heating and cooling bills. New windows help keep the heat in during the winter and out during the summer, which can make a noticeable difference when it comes to utility costs. In addition, they offer greater protection from outdoor noises like traffic or loud neighbours.

If you’re looking for ways to increase the value of your home, investing in new windows is a great choice. We can help you find the perfect windows for your needs and budget and offer a wide selection of ENERGY-STAR® certified models that are designed for increased energy-efficiency and enhanced curb appeal. Give us a call or complete our online form to schedule a consultation.

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Our installers are best-in-class and have perfected the winter installation process. With our method, we work quickly and efficiently—never exposing your home to the harsh elements of winter. Most projects are completed in as little as one day—giving you immediate satisfaction with beautiful new windows and doors that improve the comfort of your home!

Here’s how it works:

• Our installers seal off the room they’re working in. We use zip walls that enclose the area to keep pets, plants, and people comfortable in the rest of the home.
• Zip walls prevent heat loss and ensure your home will have minimal exposure to the elements.
• We cover and protect floors and furnishings from foot traffic, construction debris, and the harsh winter elements.
• Two installers work on both the outside and inside of your home simultaneously.
• The installers work on one window at a time, with each window being installed on average in as little as five minutes.
• Each window is custom-manufactured to 1/8” of the opening so that installers can add additional insulation around the framework once they’re in place, helping to maximize energy efficiency.

To learn more about the benefits of a winter installation, take a look at our blog post: Why You Should Replace Windows in Winter.

Our winter installation system makes it quick and easy. You don’t have to suffer with cold, drafty, and inefficient windows for another winter. Our new windows can save you money and make you feel more comfortable in your home now! When you’re ready to take the first step, give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We offer window replacement services in the Greater Vancouver Area, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Campbell River.

The post How Does a Winter Window and Door Installation Work? appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia.

Here, we share the top four reasons to choose high-performance, energy-efficient windows for your home.

1.     Lower Energy Cost

Energy-efficient windows are engineered to moderate the temperature inside your home. They can help your property stay warm during the winter and cool in the summer. With energy-efficient windows, you can save on your annual heating and cooling costs by up to appx. 20%.

2.     Increased Comfort

Conventional windows, especially older ones, are prone to drafts, air leakage, and heat loss. This can cause your HVAC system to become overworked as it tries to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. To prevent your heating and cooling equipment from breaking down early, invest in high-performance, energy-efficient windows. They provide better insulation, maintain a higher surface temperature on interior glazing, and are more capable of keeping your home’s temperature in check.

3.     Improved Noise Absorption

When looking for replacement windows, you should choose high-performance units that are made with inert gas fills to minimize sound transition from outside to inside. Opt for multi-pane windows instead of single-pane units to keep more of the outside, outside.

4.     Protection from UV Rays

Energy-efficient windows are made with low-emissivity (low-E) glass that keeps heat out and repels UV rays, significantly reducing heat transmission. This feature protects your floors and furniture from fading.

If you’re looking for a professional, experienced, and reliable window contractor for your window replacement project, we’re the right company to call. We offer window replacement services in the Greater Vancouver Area, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Campbell River. Give us a call today and schedule your free consultation with our team of experts.

The post 4 Reasons to Invest in Energy-Efficient Windows appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia.

Think about a cold beverage on a hot day. Water forms on the outside of the glass when its cool surface meets the warm, humid air. This causes water to condense on the surface and run down. The same as on a window. While it may seem counter-intuitive, the appearance of condensation on the outside or inside of your window is actually a good thing. Condensation will appear on even the best-performing windows—in fact, it might be more noticeable on high quality windows since they are more energy-efficient.

Condensation can actually be a sign that your home is well sealed. The very things that make homes more energy efficient—windows and patio doors that reduce air leakage, weather-stripping, high-quality insulation, vapor barriers—also lock moisture inside your house. Moisture is a natural part of life. Every time someone in your household takes a shower or cooks, moisture is released into the air, increasing indoor humidity.

In British Columbia, where fall and winter tends to be cold and wet, it’s important to try and minimize indoor humidity. Some ways to do this include:

1. Opening the blinds and drapes to let out moisture-laden air.
2. Raising the air temperature in your home to decrease relative humidity.
3. Turning on ceiling fans for more air circulation.
4. Running exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom and leaving them running for 15 minutes or longer to clear out lingering moisture.
5. Ensuring proper ventilation of appliances, like dryers, to the outside.

For more information on relative humidity and condensation in your home, take a look at this video:

Thinking of replacing some of your older windows with new energy-efficient ones? Get the best ENERGY-STAR® replacement windows to ensure maximum efficiency and curb appeal with Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia. We can help you find the perfect windows for your home.

The post Condensation Season is Starting in BC appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia.

What is tested?

• U-factor: a measure of the rate of heat loss
• R-value: a measure of how well a specific type of insulation can resist heat flow
• Visible transmittance (VT): a measures of how much light passes through glass
• Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC): a measure of how much heat enters through the glass from the sun
• Condensation resistance rating (CR): a measure of how well the window prevents condensation from forming on its inside surface
• Air leakage rating (AL): a measure of how much air leakage is in and around the frame of a window or patio door

What do I look for?

ENERGY STAR^® certified windows have a sticker. The sticker has product identification information printed on it including the manufacturer’s name, model number, testing metrics such as U-factor, certification number, as well as the blue ENERGY STAR^® logo. This permanent label should be visible on the outside of the window, near the hardware. There may also be a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label with five numerical ratings on it.

What if there’s no sticker?

In rare cases, you may not see a sticker on your window because it was installed before ENERGY STAR^® certifications were required for windows. In this case, you can contact the manufacturer directly to find out if your windows meet this criteria. You can also look online at the manufacturer’s website or marketing materials for the ENERGY STAR^® logo.

Are Renewal by Andersen’s windows energy-efficient?

Yes! Renewal by Andersen displays the NFRC label on all of its windows. This label means that the entire window, not just the glass, has been rated and certified. All of our window frames are made from exclusive Fibrex^® material, greatly limiting thermal transmittance. In addition, Renewal by Andersen is also listed as a retailer of ENERGY STAR^® certified products on the nrcan.gc.ca website.

Lastly, because our windows are fully customizable, you can choose from different types of high-performance Low-E4^® glass or enhanced triple pane windows. Select Renewal by Andersen windows with enhanced triple pane glass were designated as one of the Most Efficient ENERGY STAR^® certified products in 2021.

We offer window replacement services in the Greater Vancouver Area, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Campbell River. Give us a call today and schedule your free consultation with our team of experts.

The post How do I Know if my Windows are ENERGY STAR® Certified? appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of British Columbia.