Are you a homeowner who wants to improve the efficiency of your home and help the planet but is not sure where to start? We’re here to break down what changes will save you the most money on energy bills, reduce your energy consumption, and increase your home’s value.
At NEXT Door & Window, we believe in a sustainable future for all. That is why we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint by reducing waste, using clean energy, and providing energy-efficient products for homeowners in Chicago and all of the surrounding areas.
Go Green with Next Door and Window Products
The most effective plan for improving household energy efficiency is first targeting the gateway to the outside — your windows and doors. According to ENERGY STAR®, the average household spends over $2,200 per year on energy bills, with almost half of this allocated for heating and cooling costs. Fortunately, investing in energy-efficient, quality windows and doors will help lower those bills throughout all seasons. Not to mention the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re helping the planet by minimizing environmental impact.
Yet, people commonly shy away from more significant upgrades like new windows or doors unless they are necessary. The price tags may lead them to ignore that these renovations can add considerable value to their home. Plus, the curb appeal doesn’t hurt.
Therma Tru reports that “When you update, replace, or improve your entry, you can increase your home’s perceived value by $18,750 on average! “That’s a massive increase with something as simple as updating your front door, further proving that energy-efficient homes are a wise investment with solid returns and help our planet all at the same time.
CHOOSING ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS
Energy-efficient, high-performance windows will improve indoor comfort and save you money on energy bills. Additionally, NEXT Door & Window offers ENERGY STAR®-rated products, like Marvin and Infinity from Marvin, that will significantly benefit your home. ENERGY STAR® is the trusted symbol for energy efficiency and is backed by the government.
Did you know that Marvin and Infinity products also have some of the highest performance ratings from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)? This organization defines energy performance ratings for the window and door industry. Plus, their fiberglass windows, Ultrex®, are made of silica sand, an abundant natural resource, and require 39% less energy to produce than vinyl. And, the glass contains 15% – 33% recycled content. Now that’s a great way to go a little greener.
Fiberglass windows for the win
Fiberglass windows may be the most energy-efficient choice for homeowners. While fiberglass and vinyl windows are long-lasting and require nearly no maintenance (they don’t rot or decay from moisture damage), fiberglass is much more robust. Fiberglass resists warping and cracking under extreme weather better than vinyl, giving your new window a very long life cycle and optimal functionality.
Manufacturing of the fiberglass process requires minimal consumption of natural resources, especially compared to wood or vinyl. Although fiberglass is not easy to recycle, manufacturing releases less harmful chemicals into the environment. The Marvin brand is a fantastic choice when deciding on greener products. Marvin offers various window (and door) options that help you achieve long-term performance and energy cost savings in any climate. What’s more, Marvin supports sustainable forestry management and is committed to conserving natural resources.
Marvin utilizes mainly pine when making windows and sourcing the wood from reliable lumber suppliers with sound forest management practices. For many years now, they have been actively participating in education programs, including the distribution of tree seedlings to surrounding communities.
CHOOSING ENERGY-EFFICIENT DOORS
Doors can be another drafty area. You don’t want the AC or heat slipping out of the cracks and increasing your energy bills. Doors can improve indoor comfort and efficiency with proper weather stripping and tight seals. It’s also essential to buy insulating frames to enhance the efficiency of your house. Plus, our team of contractors can install spray foam barriers near the door frame to prevent air leaks.
Besides the Marvin brand, ProVia is an excellent choice for door upgrades. ProVia is dedicated to creating energy-efficient and environmentally friendly products by recycling and reducing pollution emissions. They actively partner with ENERGY STAR®, and their products meet or exceed ENERGY STAR criteria. ProVia has been tested and awarded multiple times by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
Here are a few more examples of how ProVia exercises environmental stewardship:
- Solar panels at three of their production facilities.
- Trucks with TriPac Idle Reduction and Temperature Management System.
- Paperless Ordering.
- Recycling paper, metal, and glass.
- Energy Star Education Program, to help consumers make educated product choices.
CHOOSING GREENER COMPANIES
As you can see, reducing our environmental footprint is a multifaceted undertaking. Choosing the best products and brands is a critical first step. At Next Door & Window, we stand behind our products and always search for ways to improve. We are currently transitioning our fleet into clean hybrid Mercedes Benz trucks, one of the world’s cleanest running diesel engines thanks to BlueTEC® SCR technology. So, if you’re ready to go a little greener, there is no doubt that energy-efficient windows, doors, and more sustainable companies will make a world of difference.
Rely on NEXT Door & Window to help make your home more energy-efficient. We are currently offering in-home or virtual appointments to get your home projects started ASAP. Call today to schedule your free appointment at (630) 755-6681 or fill out our contact form here.
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