Thompson Creek Tips & Blog

This is the time of year when we start to make summer travel plans. We put so much thought into our trip that we sometimes forget that we have to prep the house too. There are many things you can do to make sure that your home is not costing you money while you’re away. Here are some tips you can use to prep your house next time you go on a trip.

Earth Week and Green Week had many of us thinking about what we could to conserve our planet’s resources. But we all wonder, “Can one person REALLY make a difference?”  Here are some steps you can take that are easier than you think, and may even save you money.

Happy May Day! What better way to celebrate than with Tuesday's Tips! If you're using an electric oven, turn it off ten minutes before the end of the cooking time - it will still keep to the same temperature for this time period. Awesome right?

If you look at most home improvement and replacement projects, “energy-efficient” is at the top of the list of features most manufacturers tout.  But what does energy-efficient mean when it comes to replacement windows? When properly selected and installed, energy-efficient windows can reduce your heating, cooling and lighting costs. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that to achieve improved window performance you need to pay attention to three areas:

Tuesday's Tip: use your small appliances! Slow cookers, crock pots, electric skillets & kettles use less power than the stove top or oven.
 

Monday: trim back any plants or vines growing around your outdoor air conditioner unit and have the system tuned up if you can (potentially saving up to 5 percent on cooling costs).

Tuesday: as you start your spring cleaning, don't forget to dust your light bulbs and shades, and of course install CFL bulbs (potentially saving about 66% on lighting costs per fixture).

Wednesday: let your dishwasher do your dirty work. Avoid pre-rinsing dishes in hot water. Save water and energy by just scraping them off before loading the dishwasher.

Thursday: shrink your bills, not your clothes. 90% of your washing machine's energy costs are for heating the water. Wash your clothes in cold to save. It isn't really necessary to use the hot setting, and it's actually better for your clothes.

Friday: if you're using the small burner on your stove, use a small pan. You might only be cooking up a small meal, and doing so in a big pan wastes a lot of energy.

Go green and stay green! 

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Pick up the newspaper or turn on the news and you’re bound to hear a story about reducing your carbon footprint, “going green” or ways to be kinder to the environment. Various industries have different levels of what can be considered green, organic, energy saving or environmentally friendly. Some industries have no real restrictions at all on how they can label the environmental or health benefits of their products. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently require labeling on most products that contain genetically engineered plant materials or on meat and milk from cloned animals.

But when it comes to home replacement products, forward-thinking companies go through the process of earning the ENERGY STAR® label for their products. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that helps consumers save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. According to ENERGY STAR,...

Here's a GREAT Tuesday's Tip for these random cold spring days when you don't want to turn your heat back on. Heat your home with cooking! Leave the oven door open after cooking to let the heat warm your kitchen - and likely other rooms in the house!

Since this week is going to be warm and toasty - here are some summer-style Tuesday's Tips!

1. Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your thermostat. The thermostat can react to heat from these appliances and run the air conditioner longer.

Gas and oil prices continue to rise. Families are reexamining their budgets to see where they can cut waste. The typical US family spends a lot of hard-earned dollars on utility bills – an average of $1,419 in 2010, which has added about $300 a year to what households pay.

Here are your Super Tuesday's Tips for energy savings:
1. Never leave electronics on "stand by" - turn 'em off!
2. Don't over boil! Only boil the amount of water you need (and the minimum safe amount for your teapot).

Tuesday's Tip: take shorter showers! Cutting a few minutes can save hundreds of gallons of hot water per month for a family of four. Showers account for 2/3 of your water heating costs. Cutting your showers in half can reduce your water heating costs by 33 percent.

We all know that recycling makes sense – it saves energy, resources and the environment. While not mandatory in most cities and counties, most of us have been in the recycling habit long enough that it’s almost second nature.

 

It's Mardi Gras! In honor, here's a fun Tuesday's Tip! (Sort of...) When cleaning your house, turn off the heat (and maybe even do a little dance)! Cleaning keeps the body moving (especially when you dance while cleaning), which keeps your temperature up - saving you in heating costs! Enjoy!

Happy customers drive our business forward - and lately our customers have been really happy! Check out these great comments and reviews from our customers (aka your neighbors)!

Leslie, Washington DC
"This is my second experience with Thompson Creek, and I have to say that they are one of the most professional, high-quality, and responsive companies with whom I have ever worked. The product and performance has been top-notch. I'm already making my money back in energy savings." 

If you’ve done any sort of research on replacement windows, it may not be as easy as you first thought. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, visible transmittance, U-factor, R-value – you start to feel like you need an advanced science degree to sort through all the terminology.

Tuesday's Tip! Turn off kitchen and bath fans after they've done their job–they can generate a house-full of heated air if left on.

Every Tuesday we'll post one or more tips for FREE energy saving ideas in and around the home! Check back every week! We try to pick tips that are creative, timely/seasonal - and of course always free! This week is a cool one - stop using your oven! Slow cookers, electric fry pans/skillets and electric kettles use less power than your stove top or oven.

It’s cold.
My utility bills are out of control.
My yard looks awful.
My decorations aren’t CFL or LED or whatever is the most energy-efficient these days.
I’m still cold.

This time of year – complaints are running rampant and the topic s range from temperature to bills to appearance to landscape to struggles with holiday lights – and really any topic you can imagine. We can only imagine the stress these complaints are bringing to people around the world. So we have some fun easy tips that can take you through the cold months with a smile on your face and a few extra bucks in your wallet.

 

Earlier this month, Rick Wuest, president of Thompson Creek Window Company, appeared on "Around the Home" on WJLA-TV in Washington DC.  He spoke to host Doug Eberhart about the importance of building a window that's made to last.  Thompson Creek windows are maintenance free, energy efficient and add to the value of the home.  He also talked about the benefit of working with a local company - Thompson Creek, with their factory in Landover, MD, and administrative offices in Lanham, MD, designs a window that's made to accomodate the weather conditions in the mid-Atlantic.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sQs_h9Z-_o&feature=dir 425x349]

When researching replacement windows for your home, you’ll soon come to realize there’s a lot of science that goes into manufacturing and installing quality windows.

You can tell almost everything you need to know about a window's performance by looking at its NFRC ratings. Adopted by the National Fenestration Rating Council in 1998, window manufacturers who are concerned about energy efficiency voluntarily go through NFRC testing to obtain the performance ratings. If a window does not have NFRC data, chances are you're not dealing with a reputable manufacturer.

With the heat waves we're experiencing this summer in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC, you want to be sure to pay attention to how well a replacement window deflects the sun and keeps heat outside of your home. Three key ratings to look at are:

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): The SHGC tells you how much heat radiation from sunlight a window lets in. In warmer climates, where air-conditioning costs are a bigger factor, look for a lower number.

U-Factor: The inverse of "R-Value" (which measures insulating value), the U-Factor measures how easily heat flows through the product. The lower the number, the better it keeps heat where you want it.

Air Leakage (AL): The Air Leakage rating refers to the amount of air that can infiltrate cracks in the window assembly. The lower the number, the less infiltration. Look for windows with an AL rating of 0.30 or less.

 

John and Patricia K. of Glen Burnie, Maryland, needed to replace their entry door which was old, drafty, and not at all energy efficient. They had a new front door installed by Thompson Creek Window Company in their Anne Arundel County home. Thompson Creek installed a new door to replace the drafty wood door in this Maryland home. Their new door helps to reduce drafts and improves energy efficiency.

John and Patricia were quite satisfied with the results and were quick to sing the praises of Thompson Creek. "They provided courteous service throughout. They did exactly what they said they would do. They did everything well. Really, they were perfectionists. My foyer is now cleaner than it's been in years. We're very happy. If anything comes up I'm sure we can rely on them to address it well."

 

 

Installing replacement windows can add significant value to your home just by improving energy efficiency. According to Energy Information Administration, they estimate that as much as one third of the average home’s heat loss occurs through windows and doors.

When trying to decide if you need to replace your windows, you need to consider when your home was built and if it still has the original windows. You also need to evaluate the condition of your windows – do they show signs of wear, wood rot, warping, are difficult to open or have cranks that no longer work? And if you have single pane windows, this could be one of the biggest reasons to replace them. Single pane windows are not energy efficient, so upgrading to double pane windows will keep your home much cooler in the summer. You will significantly reduce outside noise coming in through your windows. And you’ll dramatically reduce your energy bills.

Having a more energy efficient home will also increase its resale value. Remodeling magazine’s "Cost vs. Value Report" says that "vinyl window replacements resulted in national recovery rates of 81%. Replacement windows are a truly solid investment…"

When choosing a replacement window company, it’s important to look for windows that are eligible for the tax credit under the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. Windows from Thompson Creek will make your house more energy efficient, and you can claim a tax credit. Talk to your tax advisor for details.

 

Your front door is an important element in the curb appeal your home conveys. Door style, material, color, windows/side lites, and quality all lend to the architectural style and look of your home.

But beyond aesthetics, your entry door needs to function properly and efficiently. If your door has any gaps and lets in drafts, you’ll pay much more than you should this summer to keep your home cool. For example, a mere 1/8" gap around your door causes the same energy loss as drilling a 5½" hole through it. It’s something you simply can’t ignore. That’s why it’s important to choose doors that deliver air-tight comfort as well as beauty, security and value.

A custom-fit entry door is the easiest, most cost-effective way to dramatically increase your home’s curb appeal without going through the hassle and expense of major renovations. Thompson Creek Window Company offers the strongest, most energy efficient doors in the industry. They are custom-crafted to your specifications. They keep energy in – and unwanted drafts, noise and contaminants out. The same insulating technology that keeps the cold air out in winter also blocks smog and toxic fumes from vehicles outside or in your garage all year long.

Whether you want bold or classic, modern or vintage, with glass or without – Thompson Creek offers thousands of options to create the perfect door for your home and get the unique look you want. Choose from steel and fiberglass entry doors, aluminum storm doors, vinyl French doors and sliding patio doors. And like all our products, our doors are backed by our transferable double lifetime guarantee.

 

Today we are wrapping up our discussion on the different energy efficiency ratings (U-Factor, SHGC, and Visible Transmittance) of a window. We learned that the U-factor is what measures how well your window insulates. And SHGC, or Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, measures the amount of heat that passes through your window. The last component, Visible Transmittance, goes right along with U-factor and SHGC.

Visible Transmittance measures the amount of light your window lets through. Most people have windows so that light can come through and brighten up a living space. Visible Transmittance is measured on a scale from 0-1 and the higher the number, the more light you see. If you install a window that has a low U-factor and SHGC number and high Visible Transmittance number, you are getting the most bang for your buck!

Fun Fact: Thompson Creek TC 900 Series windows range from .47 to .55 on the Visible Transmittance scale. Brighten up your home today!

 

Yesterday we started to talk about what components make an energy efficient window and assist in protecting your home. To recap, U-factor measures how well your window insulates. Today, we will discuss the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, abbreviated SHGC, and how it keeps your home cool during the hot mid-Atlantic summers.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures how the amount of heat that passes through your window. It is measured on a scale from 0-1 and research shows that windows generally range from .25 to .80. But what end of the scale indicates that your window or replacement window is energy efficient? The lower the SHGC number means it has better energy efficiency. The lower the SHGC the less heat the window is allowing to enter your home.

Fun Fact: Thompson Creek TC 900 Series windows range from .24-.30 on the SHGC scale. Efficiency at its best!

 

With school coming to an end and summer upon us, it is easy to figure out how to protect yourself and your children from the harmful UV rays while outside. Apply sunscreen! But what about on the days that it is too hot to stay outside for a substantial length of time? Your home needs to be able to protect you and your family.

Your windows are a main source of light for your home and, depending on the size and placement, let in a lot of sunshine. Over the next few days we are going to talk about the components U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, and Visible Transmittance that contribute to the energy efficiency of a Thompson Creek window and allow the residents of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. to reside comfortably in our homes.

Today we will discuss U-factor. This number indicates how energy efficient a window can make your home by measuring how well your window insulates. With the hot summers of the mid-Atlantic region, this means keeping the hot air out and cool air inside your home. The scale ranges from .25-1.25 and the lower the number, the more energy efficient your window.

Fun Fact: Thompson Creek TC 900 Series windows range from .26-.30 on the U-factor scale. Now that’s efficient!

 

Thompson Creek’s state-of-the-art siding lays flat, hides every imperfection, and has 30% fewer seams.  That’s because we use 16 foot, wide-profile siding panels, compared to the 12-foot panels used by most other companies.  Our siding is foam laminated, so it easily smoothes and straightens walls to create a more natural look.  And it resembles wood more than any other product on the market.

Another happy customer for Thompson Creek, www.thompsoncreek.com, from Silver Spring, Maryland loves their replacement siding…

“The overall installation and the net result is very wonderful.  We couldn’t be happier.”  Replacement Siding customer – Silver Spring, Maryland

Thompson Creek Window Company offers the beauty, comfort and reliability that you want for all your home improvement needs in the Washington DC metro area including Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

For more information about Thomspson Creek and their energy efficient replacement siding please visit www.thompsoncreek.com.

 

Thompson Creek offers the strongest, most energy-efficient doors in the industry.  They are custom-crafted to your specifications. They keep energy in – and unwanted drafts, noise and contaminants out.  You’ll enjoy the maximum energy efficiency a door can provide and save money year after year.  The same insulating technology that keeps the cold air out in winter also blocks smog and toxic fumes from vehicles outside or in your garage.

Another happy customer for Thompson Creek, www.thompsoncreek.com, from Gaithersburg, Maryland loves their replacement door…

Thompson Creek had an "organized and professional installation crew and quality products.” Replacement Door customer - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Thompson Creek Window Company offers the beauty, comfort and reliability that you want for all your home improvement needs in the Washington DC metro area including Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

For more information about Thomspson Creek and their energy efficient replacement doors please visit www.thompsoncreek.com.

 

Thompson Creek offers the strongest, most energy-efficient doors in the industry.  They are custom-crafted to your specifications. They keep energy in – and unwanted drafts, noise and contaminants out.  You’ll enjoy the maximum energy efficiency a door can provide and save money year after year.  The same insulating technology that keeps the cold air out in winter also blocks smog and toxic fumes from vehicles outside or in your garage.

Another happy customer for Thompson Creek, www.thompsoncreek.com, from Olney, Maryland loves their replacement door...

"They were very kind, quick and they explained everything.  They cleaned up so well you would not have even known they were here.  They put everything back in it's exact place.  We had a storm door that wasn't level and they even put that back on level." Replacement Door customer - Olney, Maryland

Thompson Creek Window Company offers the beauty, comfort and reliability that you want for all your home improvement needs in the Washington DC metro area including Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

For more information about Thomspson Creek and their energy efficient replacement doors please visit www.thompsoncreek.com.

 

Thompson Creek offers the strongest, most energy-efficient doors in the industry. They are custom-crafted to your specifications. They keep energy in – and unwanted drafts, noise and contaminants out. You will enjoy the maximum energy efficiency a door can provide and save money year after year. The same insulating technology that keeps the cold air out in winter also blocks smog and toxic fumes from vehicles outside or in your garage.

Another happy customer for Thompson Creek, www.thompsoncreek.com, from Owings Mill, Maryland loves the speedy process. Read more about Thompson Creek and their new replacement doors.

"I have been thinking about replacing my door for some time. When things started coming together on my end, I called Thompson Creek because I have dealt with them before and have been happy with their work. In about three or four days I had a gentleman over here talking to me about new replacement doors. I saw pictures and we ended up signing a contract that day. Within three to five days the project manager was out here making the final measurements, so everything moved like clockwork. I was going to be gone for almost 15 days and we built that into the new replacement door project. You can't argue with that kind of success." Replacement Door Customer - Owings Mill, Maryland

Thompson Creek Window Company offers the beauty, comfort and reliability that you want for all your home improvement needs in the Washington DC metro area including Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

For more information about Thompson Creek and their energy efficient replacement doors please visit www.thompsoncreek.com.

Summer is closing in on us quickly and Thompson Creek Window Company would like to assist you in figuring out what exterior home improvement projects will maximize your home's energy efficiency. Today, our focus is on our best-selling window, the TC 900 series double-hung window and what makes them efficient.

Being a local company, Thompson Creek recognizes the needs of our consumers and we tailor our windows to match weather conditions found in the climate zone in the mid-Atlantic area.  Summers in the DC metro area are brutally hot and humid, and winters in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC are equally brutal with cold temperatures, wind and snow.

All of our windows are made of low-emissivity glass and are coated with a glaze. This glaze, virtually invisible, controls heat transfer through the window. Energy Savers states that by installing vinyl replacement windows with glazed low-e glass, you can reduce energy loss by up to 30-50%.

Saving energy by installing Thompson Creek windows will help to lower your heating and cooling costs and will be a great investment for years to come.

 

Margaret S. from Ellicott City, MD, met with various replacement window companies to replace most of the windows in her home. She ultimately decided to work with Thompson Creek, and she is more than pleased with the decision. Vinyl replacement windows are virtually maintenance free, and do not require painting or other time consuming maintenance. The new windows will help improve this Howard County home's energy efficiency.

Margaret tells us, "The windows in my home have been replaced with Thompson Creek. They look great inside and out, are easy to operate and have made a difference in my [electricity] bills and reduced noise level in my home. The transferable warranty is very important since I will be moving in the next year or two."

See why Margaret and thousands of other homeowners in the mid-Atlantic trust Thompson Creek Window Company.

 

A two-year pilot program was kicked off last week by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Energy (DOE).  PowerSaver loans, backed by the Federal Housing Administration, will be available from 18 lenders in certain regions of the country to provide homeowners up to $25,000 to make energy-efficient improvements, including door and window replacement.
Initially, the PowerSaver pilot program is expected to assist approximately 30,000 homeowners to finance energy-efficient upgrades. According to HUD projections, more than 3,000 jobs will be created through this pilot program and the impact may be larger if market demand for the loan program increases over time.

 

 

 

 

Participating lenders in the pilot program have been selected primarily based on their commitment to work in partnership with established home energy retrofit programs provided by states, cities, utilities, and home improvement contractors.

PowerSaver loans will be backed by the FHA but require these lenders to have significant "skin in the game," FHA officials note. FHA mortgage insurance will cover up to 90 percent of the loan amount in the event of default, with lenders retain the remaining risk on each loan to incentivize responsible underwriting and lending standards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to get rid of the old, inefficient windows in your home and add new replacement windows, there are a few things to consider:

- Consider how much you can save in energy bills each year. Replacing old windows with new models increase energy efficiency and can save you up to 30% per year on your energy costs.

- You need to think about how much value you put on the increased comfort and better appearance new windows will provide. Replacement windows increase the curb appeal of your home.

- Think about the resale value of your home. When updating to energy efficient replacement windows, you will get back nearly 80% back for every dollar invested when you sell your home.

- Look at the warranty for the windows. Is it a lifetime warranty? Is it offered by the manufacturer or installer? Who will service your window should a problem arise in the future? Are any problems not covered by the warranty?

Your best choice is Thompson Creek Window Company. We manufacture and install energy efficient replacement windows to save you money on your utility bills. Best of all, Thompson Creek controls all of the raw materials that go into the product and we install every window we sell. We are 100% accountable to our customers should any warranty issues ever arise.

 

While oil prices rise in response to unrest in oil producing nations and increased demand from growing nations, Americans continue to discuss and consider alternative energy options and lifestyle changes amidst a slow economic recovery. As a result most Americans are improving energy efficiency in their homes, according to a recent poll by Harris Interactive.

Eight in ten Americans (84%)say they turn off lights and appliances when not in use to conserve energy. Americans are also replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs (60%), using power strips (60%), using low-wattage bulbs (56%), purchasing Energy Star appliances (53%), and reducing hot water usage (51%). When it comes to more complex tasks such as weather stripping, sealing gaps and installation of products, the responses drop to between 29% and 38% for each behavior. Even fewer (11%) conduct home energy evaluations or audits and 5% say they engage in none of these activities.

Americans can also improve the energy efficiency of their homes by targeting specific home improvement projects, using replacement products engineered using the latest efficient technologies. Vinyl replacement windows, new entry doors and patio doors, and better insulated vinyl siding are manufactured to be much more energy efficient than even 10 years ago.

 

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a new "top tier" Energy Star program to be rolled out later in 2011. Designed to identify highly efficient products and encourage advancement in energy efficiency, the EPA is implementing the program this year for a few key categories. Products eligible for the pilot program in 2011 will include clothes washers, heating and cooling equipment, televisions and refrigerator-freezer units. Later this year, the EPA will evaluate this pilot program and consider additional categories for inclusion in 2012, including windows.

 

Ann Bailey, Director of Energy Star Product Labeling, said that the purpose of this program is to encourage "truly exceptional efficiency performance. Energy Star qualified products recognized as 'Most Efficient' must represent more than an incremental improvement in energy efficiency. They must demonstrate efficiency performance that is truly exceptional, inspirational, or leading edge—consistent with the interests of environmentally-motivated consumers and early adopters."

Thompson Creek Window Company is looking forward to meeting eligibility requirements set forth by the EPA for top tier "Most Efficient" windows in 2012. In the meantime, Thompson Creek is proud that our locally-manufactured vinyl replacement windows not only meet the current EPA guidelines for ENERGY STAR efficiency, they actually exceed the new guidelines set for implementation in 2013.

 

Finally – it’s spring! Warmer temperatures encourage us to turn off the heat and let in the fresh air through open windows. But in some homes, opening your windows in the spring is easier said than done.

 

Years of the harsh effects of weather on wood windows can make it virtually impossible to open them. Over time, wood windows can warp, crack, and even rot from water damage. And if you’ve repainted your wood windows, sills or trim, your windows could literally be painted shut.

Aluminum windows don’t age gracefully either. Homes in Maryland, Washington DC and northern Virginia experience wide temperature and humidity swings over the course of a year. Over time, the metal window oxidizes which makes opening aluminum windows very difficult. When the outside temperatures are cold, many aluminum windows "sweat" or develop condensation. This moisture can wreak havoc on the moving parts of the window. Many aluminum windows have steel hinge pins that rust, or plastic inserts that break down through the years.

Your best choice for replacement windows that truly stand the test of time are vinyl windows. Today’s vinyl formulations have virtually eliminated expansion and contraction that first-generation vinyl windows had. Vinyl replacement windows with welded corners are the strongest as well as the most energy efficient. Vinyl replacement windows are virtually maintenance free, and do not require painting or other time consuming maintenance. The new windows will help improve a home's energy efficiency. And many are manufactured to be easy to open, tilt in and clean.

 

And if the replacement windows meet the standards of ENERGY STAR certification and meet minimum efficiency requirements, then you are able to claim an energy tax credit on your federal return (speak with your tax advisor for details). All of Thompson Creek’s replacement windows exceed these minimum requirements, and are manufactured, installed and serviced locally from our factory in Landover, Maryland.

If you can see fogged glass, condensation between the glass panes, or discoloration of the glass in your home’s windows, this could be a good indication that the seal has failed.

In a double-pane window, seal failure occurs when the sealant between the panes of glass breaks, subjecting the airspace to the surrounding environment. When the seal breaks, the insulating matter between the panes escapes and is replaced by air, causing less energy efficiency. Since the sealant acts as the moisture barrier, if the seal breaks, condensation can develop in the airspace of the insulated glass window.

Besides being unsightly, seal failure will make your windows less energy efficient, letting precious warmth escape in the winter. And if your windows are the same age, a few that are showing signs of seal failure probably means most or all of your remaining windows will experience seal failure in the near future.

 

Residents of Maryland, Washington DC and northern Virginia need to prepare for the possibility of higher utility bills this month. The higher bills may come as a result of a colder-than-normal January.

The National Weather Service reports that the Washington DC area experienced a second straight month of below normal temperatures in January. Daily temperatures failed to reach 40 degrees 19 times in January, which is the highest number of sub-40 degree days in January since 2004.

According to Energy Star, as much of half of the energy used in your home goes toward heating and cooling. Old and inefficient windows can allow heat to escape, and cold drafts to enter your home. Replacement windows are a great way for homeowners throughout the DC metro area to minimize heat loss due to inefficient windows. Vinyl windows are virtually maintenance free and energy efficient. Energy Star rated replacement windows allow you to set your thermostat lower and save energy because your heat is not escaping through inefficient windows. Maryland, DC and Virginia homeowners should consider replacement windows to help them stay comfortable when the temperature drops. Thompson Creek windows are Energy Star rated and extremely energy efficient. Thompson Creek manufactures their windows locally in Maryland and they have created jobs for Maryland residents.

 

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company is preparing their customers for the possibility of higher utility bills this month.  The higher bills may come as a result of a colder-than-normal December. 

BGE says for November – December 2010, Central Maryland experienced 458 hours where temperatures were at or below freezing, 43 percent higher than the same period in 2009 when there were just 321 such hours.

According to Energy Star, as much of half of the energy used in your home goes toward heating and cooling.  Old and inefficient windows can allow heat to escape, and cold drafts to enter your home.  Replacement windows are a great way for homeowners throughout the Baltimore area to minimize heat loss due to inefficient windows.  Vinyl windows are virtually maintenance free and energy efficient.  Energy Star rated replacement windows allow you to set your thermostat lower and save energy because your heat is not escaping through inefficient windows.  Maryland homeowners should consider replacement windows to help them stay comfortable when the temperature drops.  Thompson Creek windows are Energy Star rated, and extremely energy efficient.  Thompson Creek manufactures their windows locally in Maryland and they have created jobs for Maryland residents.

Winter weather is upon us, and along with it the high utility bills.  If your windows are old and drafty, they can send your utility bills through the roof and cause heat loss that you can't afford to ignore.

Even if you can’t necessarily feel the air leaking in from your windows, there’s a simple way to check if they are drafty.  On a breezy day, take a lit candle and hold it around the perimeter of your windows.  If the flame flickers, you are throwing more money than you should at your utility bills.  Covering your windows with plastic really won’t make them more energy efficient, but replacing them will.  Replacement windows are air-tight, keeping out drafts as well as outside noise and pollution.  Vinyl replacement windows are maintenance-free so you don’t need to regularly sand and paint them like wood windows.  New windows are more energy efficient and will keep the heat inside your home this winter.  You'll see energy savings on your first utility bill!

Winter weather is upon us and high utility bills are right around the corner.  If your windows are old and drafty, they can send your utility bills through the roof.

Even if you can’t necessarily feel the air leaking in from your windows, there’s a simple way to check if they are drafty.  On a breezy day, take a lit candle and hold it around the perimeter of your windows.  If the flame flickers, you are throwing more money than you should at your utility bills.  Covering your windows with plastic really won’t make them more energy efficient, but replacing them will.  Replacement windows are air-tight, keeping out drafts as well as outside noise and pollution.  Vinyl replacement windows are maintenance-free so you don’t need to regularly sand and paint them like wood windows.  New windows will keep the heat inside your home this winter.

Here are some tips to help you save energy this winter.

• When using your furnace, set your heating thermostat at 68 degrees or lower during the day.  Set your thermostat at 60 degrees when you will be away from the home for more than 6 hours.
• In winter, open drapes on sunny days to let the sun shine through your windows and warm the rooms.
• Do only full loads when using the clothes washer and dryer.
• Clean the dryer lint trap after each use, and check the dryer vent for clogging.
• Close the damper when not using the fireplace and turn your heater(s) down when using your fireplace.
• Lower the water heater temperature to 120 degrees or "low" (140 degrees or "medium" if you have a dishwasher without its own heating element).
• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher.
• Use the energy saver, air-dry cycle, or, if allowed, open the door and let dishes dry naturally.
• Use the self-cleaning oven feature only when necessary. Start the self-cleaning cycle immediately after the oven is used to take advantage of pre-existing heat.

If just one door to your home is letting in a draft, you’re paying much more than you should in order to heat your entire house this winter. Even a fraction of an inch can create a costly (not to mention uncomfortable) draft as air seeps in and escapes out around all sides of the door—not just along the bottom.

For example, a mere 1/8” gap around your door causes the same energy loss as drilling a 5½” hole through it. It’s something you simply can’t ignore.  That’s why it’s important to choose doors that deliver air-tight comfort as well as beauty, security and value.

A custom-fit entry door is the easiest, most cost-effective way to dramatically increase your home’s curb appeal without going through the hassle and expense of major renovations.

Thompson Creek offers the strongest, most energy-efficient doors in the industry.  They are custom-crafted to your specifications. They keep energy in – and unwanted drafts, noise and contaminants out.  You’ll enjoy the maximum energy efficiency a door can provide and save money year after year.  The same insulating technology that keeps the cold air out in winter also blocks smog and toxic fumes from vehicles outside or in your garage.

You know the importance of educating yourself about a window’s performance when looking to replace the windows in your home. The NFRC ratings list the important factors for a window’s energy efficiency.  In addition to the U-factor and SHGC, there are two other areas you'll want to pay attention to on the NFRC label - Visible Transmittance and Air Leakage.

Visible Transmittance (VT):  The Visible Transmittance number indicates the amount of light that passes through the glass (refers to brightness, as opposed to heat). A higher number means a brighter room.

Air Leakage (AL):  The Air Leakage rating refers to the amount of air that can infiltrate cracks in the window assembly. The lower the number, the less infiltration. Look for windows with an AL rating of 0.30 or less.

We wrote yesterday about the importance of educating yourself about a window’s performance when looking to replace the windows in your home. The NFRC ratings list the important factors for a window’s energy efficiency.  Two significant numbers to pay attention to are the U-factor and SHGC.

U-factor: The inverse of "R-Value" (which measures insulating value), the U-factor measures how easily heat flows through the product. The lower the number, the better it keeps heat where you want it.  When replacing your windows, choosing windows with lower U-factors will reduce the amount of heat that escapes from inside your house. In cold climates, look for a U-Factor of 0.35 or lower.

SHGC: The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, also know as SHGC, measures the rate of heat gain through a product. Therefore, the lower the SHGC, the lower the amount of solar heat gain. In hot climates where air-conditioning bills are a major concern, choosing windows with lower SHGC will reduce the amount of heat that comes in from the outside.

When researching replacement windows for your home, you’ll soon come to realize there’s a lot of science that goes into manufacturing and installing quality windows. 

You can tell almost everything you need to know about a window's performance by looking at its NFRC ratings. Adopted by the National Fenestration Rating Council in 1998, window manufacturers who are concerned about energy efficiency voluntarily go through NFRC testing to obtain the performance ratings. If a window does not have NFRC data, chances are you're not dealing with a reputable manufacturer.

Winter weather is upon us and high utility bills are right around the corner.  If your windows are old and drafty, they can send your utility bills through the roof.

Even if you can’t necessarily feel the air leaking in from your windows, there’s a simple way to check if they are drafty.  On a breezy day, take a lit candle and hold it around the perimeter of your windows.  If the flame flickers, you are throwing more money than you should at your utility bills. 

Covering your windows with plastic really won’t make them more energy efficient, but replacing them will.  Replacement windows are energy efficient, keeping out drafts as well as outside noise and pollution.  Vinyl replacement windows are maintenance-free so you don’t need to regularly sand and paint them like wood windows.  New windows will keep the heat inside your home this winter.

Thompson Creek installed energy efficient siding on Gregory’s Baltimore, MD home.  Our vinyl siding is maintenance-free, and was installed over a wood exterior.   This siding will also help to reduce outside noise, and well as make Gregory’s Maryland home more energy efficient..

When asked why he chose Thompson Creek, Gregory replied “Of the three companies I had contacted, Thompson Creek met or beat the presentation of materials, explanations, and the price was not the highest or lowest.”

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to get rid of the old, inefficient windows in your home and add new replacement windows, there are a few things to consider:

- Consider how much you can save in energy bills each year.  Replacing old windows with new, energy efficient models can save you up to 30% per year on your energy costs.
- You need to think about how much value you put on the increased comfort and better appearance new windows will provide.
- Think about the resale value of your home.  When updating to energy efficient replacement windows, you will get back nearly 80% back for every dollar invested when you sell your home.
- Look at the warranty for the windows.  Is it offered by the manufacturer or installer?  Who will service your windows should a problem arise in the future?  Are any problems not covered by the warranty?

Thompson Creek manufactures and installs energy efficient replacement windows to save you money on your utility bills.  Best of all, we control all of the raw materials that go into the product and we install every window we sell.  We are 100% accountable to our customers should any warranty issues ever arise.

Ann R. of Arlington, VA, used Thompson Creek Window Company to install vinyl replacement windows in her home.  From the salesperson’s visit to the installation crew, she was extremely pleased with the products and service.

Ann said her salesperson, “was very patient with me and explained everything. He was really nice and he really sold me on them. When I looked on the website I was able to find pretty much everything I needed.”

She went on to say, “I was also very impressed with their BBB rating, which was A+. Their rating with the BBB was very important to me and [I liked] the fact that you can call the president of the company if you have an issue. Also because they are an established company in the area that has proven to do good work.”

Replacement windows can add significant value to your home just by improving energy efficiency.  According to Energy Information Administration, they estimate that as much as one third of the average home’s heat loss occurs through windows and doors.

When trying to decide if you need to replace your windows, you need to consider when your home was built and does it still have the original windows.  You also need to evaluate the condition of your windows – do they show signs of wear, rot, warp, have difficulty opening or have cranks that no longer work.  And if you have single pane windows, this could be one of the biggest reasons to replace them.  Single pane windows are extremely energy inefficient, so upgrading to double pane windows will lessen chilly winter drafts, condensation, and heat loss during the winter months.  During the heat of summer, you’ll notice your home is much cooler.  You will significantly reduce outside noise coming in through your windows.  And you’ll dramatically reduce your energy bills.

Having a more energy efficient home will also increase its resale value.  Remodeling magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report” says that “vinyl window replacements resulted in national recovery rates of 81%.  Replacement windows are a truly solid investment…”

When choosing a replacement window company, it’s important to look for windows that are eligible for the tax credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These windows will make your house more energy efficient, and you can claim a tax credit of up to $1,500 for 2010 if you have new windows installed by December 31, 2010.  See tax advisor for details.

Herve from Ashburn, VA installed Thompson Creek energy efficient windows in his home.  He had this to say about his experience, “I was thoroughly satisfied with Thompson Creek before the sale and I am even more satisfied with them now that the windows are in.  It was worth every penny.”

His decision to use Thompson Creek for this project came down to this, “I chose them because I thought I was getting the most for my dollar.”

Al from Fairfax, VA upgraded to Thompson Creek energy efficient windows.  Al said, “They were very professional, punctual and respectful of my house during installation.”

He said that he would like to recognize everyone involved for their excellent service.  “They were very professional.”

Al said that he chose Thompson Creek because “I heard of their stellar reputation and excellent quality products.”  He closed in saying, “I would highly recommend Thompson Creek to anyone looking for high quality windows from a company you can trust to do a superb job.”

Charlene from Alexandria, VA recently had new energy efficient windows installed in her home.  These windows all qualify for the 2010 window tax credit. 

When asked about her satisfaction, she replied “The salesperson very knowledgeable, friendly, and down to earth. He sold us on the company immediately. He explained everything very well.”

She also mentioned, “I'm so pleased with the windows that I haven't placed anything on them because I've been enjoying just looking out of them.”

 

 

Evelyn from Silver Spring, MD found it very easy to schedule her in-home consultation.  We recently installed energy efficient replacement windows and a sliding glass door.  She indicated that she would refer Thompson Creek Window Company to a friend, and when asked what satisfied her the most, she replied, “QUALITY PRODUCT!”

Beth from Derwood, MD recently had Thompson Creek install energy efficient windows in her home.  Here’s what she had to say about her experience: “Everyone I spoke to and worked with were friendly, efficient, professional, and extremely hardworking!”. 

 

She also said “The amazing three workmen who installed my windows - on a SUPER HOT day. I wish I knew their names - they really went above and beyond”

Paula from Laurel, MD recently upgraded to Thompson Creek energy efficient windows for her home. 

When asked where she was most satisfied, she replied “The windows are wonderful, and the house is cooler. I was looking for a window that is easy to open, and I was intrigued with the idea of sun blocking windows. I didn't realize HOW MUCH COOLER our upper floor is.”

When asked where Thompson Creek could make improvements, she replied “there were no short-falls. None.”

Now that the mid-Atlantic area is well into the dog days of summer, do some of your rooms feel like a sauna? A typical double-paned, clear-glass window allows approximately 75 percent of the sun’s heat into your home.  Are your windows keeping the heat out?

 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing high-performance replacement windows will improve your home's energy performance. The benefits of added comfort and improved aesthetics and functionality may make the investment worth it to you. Many window technologies are available that are worth considering, including low-e glass.

 

Low-e stands for low-emissivity glass, which is a very thin coat of material on the glass to make it more efficient.  This is important when the weather is very hot and sunny.  Low-e coating helps reflect heat away from the surface, keeping unwanted heat out in the summer.  Low-e glass is the most cost-effective way to increase the efficiency of your windows.  It can also help reduce the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation entering your home, reducing furniture and carpet fading.

 

If you have single-pane windows, installing new energy efficient windows can result in savings on your energy bills of up to 30%.
 

Reduce energy loss in your home by increasing the quality of your windows and doors.

You can tell almost everything you need to know about a window's performance by looking at its "NFRC label". Adopted by the National Fenestration Rating Council in 1998, this label is affixed to windows voluntarily by manufacturers concerned about energy efficiency. If a window does not have this label, chances are you're not dealing with a reputable manufacturer.

U-Factor:
The inverse of "R-Value" (which measures insulating value), the U-Factor measures how easily heat flows through the product. The lower the number, the better it keeps heat where you want it. In cold climates, look for a U-Factor of 0.35 or lower.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC):
The SHGC tells you how much heat radiation from sunlight a window lets in. If heating your home is your main concern, a higher SHGC can help offset some of the heating costs. In warmer climates, where air-conditioning costs are a bigger factor, look for a lower number.

Visible Transmittance (VT):
The Visible Transmittance number indicates the amount of light that passes through the glass (refers to brightness, as opposed to heat). A higher number means a brighter room.

Air Leakage (AL):
The Air Leakage rating refers to the amount of air that can infiltrate cracks in the window assembly. The lower the number, the less infiltration. Look for windows with an AL rating of 0.30 or less.

Res/Non-Res:
The NFRC label contains data for "Residential" and "Non-Residential" (industrial) windows. When shopping for windows for your home, be sure to compare the "Res" numbers.