Heat Test

Question 1

Single pane

Answer 1

Here is most likely what you have on your home

Same thing George Washington had on his home

It says 80%, meaning 80% of the heat from the sun is coming through the window

Question 2

Double Pane (clear)

Answer 2

This is standard, marketed as thermal but there is nothing thermal about it.

Says 64, so better than single pane but still getting 64% of the suns heat into the home

Question 3

Triple pane (clear + single)

Answer 3

2 is better than 1, so 3 is better than 2

Says 53, so when you get to around 50, this is where you start to see some energy savings

Question 4

Double pane with low-e (hard coat low-e)

Answer 4

You can’t keep stacking glass, so scientists came up with low-e

Says 63, so as you can see, a little better than double pane, not as good as triple though

Question 5

Triple pane with low-e (hard coat low-e + single)

Answer 5

So naturally, they come up with a triple pane low e

This is the granddaddy of vinyl energy efficient windows

You can still find this today and it will run you between $2,000-$3,000 per window

Says 50

Question 6

5 pane with low-e (clear +hard coat + single)

Answer 6

Just for giggles, this is something that doesn’t exist

Says 32, so ridiculously energy efficient but not realistic

Question 7

Insulation

Answer 7

If energy efficiency is your only goal, just put insulation in your windows

Comes in pink, yellow and other colors

Your neighbors might think you’re a little weird though

Says 6, not realistic though

Question 8

Heat shield (heat shield 3)

Answer 8

We take our low-e up a notch and use 3 layers of silver

It’s the most reflective metal on the planet. Pretty cool right

Says 2, so it blocks out 98% of the radiant heat

Seeing a number is one thing, feeling it is totally different