Energy-efficient windows are gaining attention as utility bills rise
As utility bills rise, more people have been paying attention to energy-efficient windows, which can help reduce heat gains in the summer and heat losses in the winter. Upgrading to better, more efficient windows can also cut air leaks that often affect old, outdated ones.
Indeed, a research paper published in the journal Results in Engineering noted that windows contribute around 9% of a building’s total energy use and 40% of envelope heat losses due to air leakage. Such unintentional infiltration or leakage can have adverse effects on your home’s comfort, energy consumption, and utility bills.
What Types of Windows Are Energy-Efficient?
ENERGY STAR windows are among the most energy-efficient types.
Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992, ENERGY STAR is a program authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Products, including doors and windows, and entire homes and buildings that feature the blue ENERGY STAR label meet stringent energy-efficiency guidelines and rules.
ENERGY STAR products use less power or help consumers use less energy and generate lower electricity charges without compromised performance.
According to ENERGYSTAR.gov, swapping old single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR-certified replacements can lower energy bills by up to 13% on average.
What Makes Windows Energy-Efficient?
Energy-efficient windows like ENERGY STAR products boast features that allow them to provide tight seals (to stop air leakage and infiltration). At the same time, they have attributes and materials that reduce heat transfer (e.g., via conduction, convection, and radiation).
Tight Seals
Today’s picture windows are among the most energy-efficient window designs, primarily due to their being inoperable. Their permanently closed design allows them to create a tight seal. Since they have no openings, they’re not prone to developing leaks and drafts.
Casement and awning windows, meanwhile, are some of the most energy-efficient operable types of windows. They feature crank mechanisms that help ensure the sash presses tightly against the window frame to stop drafts.
Multiple Panes
Windows with multiple panes and insulating gas are excellent examples of energy-efficient windows that work through heat transfer reduction.
Multi-paned windows achieve energy efficiency by forming spaces between the panes, which manufacturers then fill with insulating gas (e.g., argon or krypton, and, sometimes, xenon). They’re heavy but non-toxic, helping slow down heat transfer better than regular air.
Insulating Frames
Insulating frames are another component of energy-efficient windows, often featuring premium wood and clad-wood construction and superior craftsmanship. Manufacturers like Andersen, Marvin, and Milgard are brands known for making windows with these features, which is why reputable suppliers like Ashby Lumber carry and stock them.
Low-Emissivity (Low-E) Glass
Making multi-paned windows even more energy-efficient is the use of low-E glass.
Low-E glass undergoes treatment and receives a coat of a virtually invisible, microscopically thin layer of metal or metallic oxide. According to InterNACHI, it helps control heat transfer through insulated windows, cutting energy loss by 30% to 50%.
Low-E glass also helps block harmful ultraviolet (UV) light and reflect infrared (IR) light.
Why Are Energy-Efficient Windows Gaining Attention as Utility Bills Rise?
Utility cost spikes continue to affect Americans, with no signs of stopping or slowing. There’s no immediate relief in sight, as infrastructure upgrades, surging fuel prices, and soaring inflation continue to drive up monthly charges from gas, water, and electricity/light bill companies.
Indeed, in a May 2026 article, Consumer Reports cited data from new federal research indicating that residential electricity rates throughout the U.S. jumped by 10.2% on average between March 2025 and March 2026.
Such high utility costs are prompting consumers throughout the country to make energy-efficiency upgrades and changes to lower consumption and cut bills in the process. Since energy-efficient windows can help in the following ways, they’re getting more of the attention they deserve.
Reducing Heat Gains, Heat Losses, and Air Leaks
During summer, energy-efficient windows reduce heat gains by minimizing the amount of outdoor heat that moves inside buildings via windows. At the same time, they help keep cool, conditioned air inside buildings by minimizing thermal heat transfer.
Come wintertime, energy-efficient windows minimize heat loss by preventing heated, conditioned air from escaping and leaking to the outdoors. Their tight seals also stop frigid outdoor air from entering.
Easing HVAC Burden
Your windows affect your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system’s performance and efficiency by:
- Regulating thermal heat transfer
- Controlling solar heat gain
- Altering air infiltration rates
If you have low-efficiency windows, they can drive your HVAC system’s energy consumption up.
Conversely, having high-efficiency windows can help your comfort system become more efficient, as they reduce the burden and workload of your heating or cooling equipment. There’s “less” work for your HVAC to do since there’s no significant penetration from external forces (e.g., hot summer air or frigid winter air).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Utility Bills Going to Increase Further in 2027?
Yes.
As noted by the American Gas Association in a March 2026 report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) projects rising electricity prices in 2027. The increase will widen the gap between electricity and natural gas prices, with the former reaching four times the price of the latter by next year.
Some states and municipalities are also bracing for more electricity price hikes.
A July 2026 article from WBTV reports that in 2027, the typical Duke Energy Carolinas residential customer (in North Carolina) may see an increase of $9.39 in their typical monthly electricity bill if regulators approve the change. The average bill, which is already high at $156.81, could go up to $166.20 starting January 2027, and see another $5.52 increase by January 2028.
When Should You Consider Replacing Windows With Energy-Efficient Ones?
Consider replacing your windows with energy-efficient ones if they’re already old (usually around 15 to 20 years old) and if they still feature single panes. Single-paned windows are usually the least energy-efficient, as they don’t have the insulating features of modern multi-paned windows.
Invest in Better, More Energy-Efficient Windows
With utility bills continuously on the rise, improving your home’s energy efficiency has become all the more crucial. Today’s energy-efficient windows can help you achieve this by reducing heat gains, heat losses, air leakage, and your HVAC system’s workload and energy consumption.
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