Argon Gas Windows Worth It

By keeping the heat or cold air inside the house the windows provide a better insulator than windows with oxygen between the panes.

Argon gas windows worth it.

Argon gas is used to increase the energy efficiency and general performance of thermal windows. Argon which comprises slightly less than 1 of the earth s atmosphere is non toxic inert clear and odorless. Replacement windows these days are often sold as double pane versions that not only feature two panes of glass compared to one on single pane windows but also are filled with argon gas in between the panes. When your windows are filled with argon there is a slightly higher efficiency rating of the window.

Because argon gas is denser than air adding it to the captive air in double pane windows improves thermal insulation efficiency. The most common gas between panes is argon. Double panes of glass in addition to a layer of a gas is the best way to insulate a window. Thermal windows also called insulated glass units or igu are either double pane or triple pane meaning each section of window has two or three layers of glass with a sealed space in between.

Argon gas windows are energy efficient due to the density of argon gas being heavier than oxygen. Because argon is more dense than air it does a better job of insulating your home than a regular double pane window. Argon and krypton are the gas fills used most often by window manufacturers to displace the air between the panels in windows. Still krypton is in even shorter supply as it s found only in trace amounts in the atmosphere.

It s worth noting that many manufacturers of high quality windows including all those we tested for our latest report on windows now use argon filled glass as the standard for their windows. Benefits of argon gas windows. Argon is an inert gas found in our atmosphere. Its thermal conductivity is roughly 67 that of air and it s inexpensive making it an attractive gas.

That s not considering the environmental benefit either. That means that argon gas is in far from abundant supply around the earth. In this way the gas between the double paned windows are less effected by convection currents and drafts. Double pane windows are the solution for old inefficient windows.

Used in conjunction with a special low e short for low emissivity glass coating argon gas windows bring the temperature of the window closer to room temperature. While the initial investment in low e argon gas windows is a little higher than the regular single pane variety the amount you ll save on your heating and cooling bills over the course of their lifetime will more than make them worth your while. That drives the cost of krypton up and makes argon gas a more cost efficient ingredient for energy efficient windows.