Windows: More than Energy Efficiency
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the heat lost through windows can account for 10 to 25 percent of a home’s heating bill. Ply Gem windows can come equipped with optional high-performance Low-E glass that helps reduce this energy loss. This can increase your home’s comfort while decreasing your utility costs.
What Is Low-E Glass?
Low-E (low emissivity) glass has a secondary, very thin metallic dual-layer coating. This allows the sun’s heat and light to pass through the insulating glass, but at the same time, actually works to reflect radiant heat back toward its source. Since Low-E coating reflects radiant heat waves, it helps keep your home warmer in the winter by trapping radiant heat, and cooler in the summer by blocking it from your home.
Low-ESC is optimized for warmer climates by applying two heavier layers, through a patented process, resulting in blocking 73 percent of the sun’s radiant heat from entering your home, while providing superior insulation in cooler weather to save you energy year round.
Low-ESH is optimized for colder climates by applying two thin layers, which provide excellent insulating values with a center-of-glass U-Value of 0.29, while allowing 70 percent or more of the sun’s visible light in to brighten your home in colder climates saving you energy year round.
Protection From Winter Chill. On cold winter evenings, do you avoid sitting near your windows? The cold, inside surface of an inefficient window pulls heat away from your body, so you can feel chilly in a sweater with the thermostat set at 70 degrees. With Ply Gem Low-E and Low-ESH glass, the interior glass stays warmer, so you can enjoy your seat by the window—even when the temperature outside dips well below freezing.
Shield Against Summer Heat. In summer, do your windows seem like giant heat lamps? A typical double-paned clear-glass window allows approximately 75 percent of the sun’s heat into your home. Ply Gem products with Low-E and Low-ESC glass provide superior solar control. They transmit much less heat, without reducing visible light.
What is HP Glass?
HP glass packages combine soft coat Low-E with gas fill and warm edge spacer options, providing high performance insulating glass options to meet your specific needs.
HP glass packages provide balanced performance in regions with hot summers and cold winters.
HP – One lite of soft coat Low-E and argon gas fill.
HP2 – Two lites of soft coat Low-E with argon gas fill.
HPULTRA – This glass system delivers the ultimate energy system combining two panes of multilayered vacuum-deposition Low-E insulating glass with an interior glass substrate and two insulating chambers of krypton gas. The result is an triple pane insulating glass unit that is ten times more energy efficient than single glass.
What is HPSC or Solar Cooling Glass?
Our HPSC (solar cooling) glass packages are for regions with significant cooling and glare reduction requirements.
HPSC – One lite of soft coat solar cooling optimized Low-E and argon gas fill.
HP2SC – Two lites of soft coat solar cooling optimized Low-E with argon gas fill.
HPMAXSC – Two lites of soft coat solar cooling optimized Low-E with an interior glass substrate and two chambers of argon gas fill.
HPSC ULTRA – This glass system delivers the ultimate energy system combining two panes of multilayered vacuum-deposition Solar Cooling Low-E insulating glass with an interior glass substrate and two insulating chambers of krypton gas. The result is an triple pane insulating glass unit that is ten times more energy efficient than single glass.
HPSH – One lite of soft coat solar heating optimized Low-E and argon gas fill.
What Types of Gas Fill Are Available?
Argon
Argon is a safe, odorless, colorless gas, which is heavier or denser than air. When used in conjunction with Low-E glass, argon provides better insulation. That’s because heat and cold do not pass through argon gas as easily as through air. Argon is non-toxic and presents no human health or environmental concerns. Ply Gem offers gas-filled insulating glass units in a number of its window and patio door products.
Krypton
A safe, odorless, colorless, naturally occurring gas, which is heavier or denser than air (190%** denser than air). When used in conjunction with Low-E glass, krypton provides better insulation. That’s because heat and cold do not pass through krypton gas as easily as through air, providing the ultimate in performance. Krypton is non-toxic and presents no human health or environmental concerns. Ply Gem offers gas-filled insulating glass units in a number of its window and patio door products.
Energy Star® Qualified
Because heating and cooling needs vary, there are different ENERGY STAR® performance requirements for each region of the United States. Each set of requirements is based upon the typical climate and energy usage patterns of that region. The ENERGY STAR® label will show you which windows are best for the area where you live.