Energy Efficient Windows
America’s Best Choice Omaha helps homeowners lower their energy bills and stay comfortable through Nebraska’s humid summers and harsh winters with energy efficient windows built to perform. Every window we install reduces heat loss in winter and blocks heat gain in summer, easing the load on your HVAC system so it doesn’t have to run as hard. If your current windows leave you dealing with drafts or climbing utility costs, a window replacement project focused on ENERGY STAR certified windows is one of the more effective ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
What Makes a Window Energy Efficient?
An efficient window’s performance comes down to the glass, the frame, and the installation. Here’s how each one contributes.
Efficient Glass and Low-E Coatings
Glass does most of the heavy lifting in an efficient window. Ours uses insulated, multi-pane glass with Low-E coatings that reflect heat back toward its source, so warmth stays inside during winter and outside during summer. Add an argon gas fill between the panes, and heat transfer drops well below what you’d get from an older single-pane window.
Quality Frame Materials
Frame material matters just as much as the glass. Vinyl and fiberglass resist heat transfer far better than aluminum, and their multi-chambered, well-sealed construction cuts down on the air leaks that waste energy. Aluminum, by contrast, conducts heat directly through the frame, which is part of why older Omaha homes with aluminum windows tend to run higher energy bills.
Proper Installation
Even a well-built window underperforms if it’s installed poorly. A gap around the frame, however small, gives air and moisture a way in or out, undercutting the window’s rated performance before it’s had a chance to prove itself. That’s why we treat installation as part of the product, not an afterthought.
The Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows
Upgrading to efficient windows pays you back in more than one way.
Lower Energy Bills
Less heat escaping in winter and less heat creeping in during summer means your furnace and AC don’t have to run as often, and that shows up directly on your energy bills.
Reduced Heat Loss and Heat Gain
Old windows are a two-way street: conditioned air leaks out, and outside temperatures leak in. Efficient windows close both directions of that exchange, keeping indoor temperatures steadier no matter the season.
Greater Comfort and Natural Light
Cold drafts and hot spots near old windows disappear once you upgrade. Low-E glass still lets in plenty of natural light, but it filters out the UV rays that fade flooring and furniture over time.
Understanding ENERGY STAR and Energy Performance Ratings
Not all “efficient” windows perform the same, which is why energy performance ratings are important. ENERGY STAR certification means a window has been tested against efficiency benchmarks set for our climate zone. Two numbers are worth knowing when you compare options: U-factor, which measures how well a window blocks heat loss, and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which measures how much heat gain it lets through from the sun. Every window we install is ENERGY STAR certified and rated for Omaha’s climate.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Existing Windows
A few warning signs tend to show up before a window fails outright: persistent drafts, condensation between the panes, energy bills that keep creeping up, or a window that’s become a workout to open and close. Existing windows that are single-pane or original to an older home are especially common sources of energy loss, and replacing them is usually the single biggest lever you have for improving your home’s energy performance.
Window Types and Options
Efficient glass and frames come in every window style, so choosing an efficient window doesn’t mean giving up the look you want. We offer double-hung, single-hung, casement, sliding, picture, bay, and awning windows, all available with vinyl or fiberglass frames and a range of colors and finishes.
Professional Installation: What to Expect
Because installation affects performance as much as the product itself, here’s what ours looks like: our team measures your existing openings precisely, removes the old window without damaging surrounding trim, sets the new frame level and square, and seals it fully against air and moisture before a final walkthrough. It’s the standard we’d want used on our own homes.
What are energy efficient windows?
They are windows engineered to slow the transfer of heat between the inside and outside of your home. The glass, frame, and installation all contribute to the final performance number you see on the label, so no single piece does the job alone.
How do energy efficient windows reduce heat loss and heat gain?
Lower is better for both. A lower U-factor means less heat escapes through the window in winter, and a lower SHGC means less solar heat gain comes through in summer. For Omaha’s climate, we typically recommend windows that balance both numbers rather than optimizing for only one.
Are ENERGY STAR certified windows worth the cost?
For most Omaha homes with older windows, yes. ENERGY STAR certification means the window has already been tested against real efficiency benchmarks, so you’re not relying on a manufacturer’s claim alone. Combined with lower energy bills over time, that’s usually enough to make the upgrade worth it.
How much can I save on my energy bills?
It depends on your current windows, your home’s insulation, and Omaha’s swings between hot summers and cold winters, but replacing old single-pane windows is one of the more noticeable upgrades homeowners make. We’ll walk through realistic numbers for your specific home during a free, no-obligation estimate.
Energy Efficient Windows FAQs
Upgrade to Energy Efficient Windows With America’s Best Choice
Ready to lower your energy bills and get more consistent comfort out of every room? America’s Best Choice Omaha installs ENERGY STAR certified windows with professional installation and flexible financing. Fill out the form below to request your free, no-obligation estimate.