Are Argon Windows Effective?

We all want to save energy.  Whether it is winter time and you're trying to hold in your heat, or summer time and you're trying to trap that precious cold air into your house, we all want to use as little energy as possible. There are many reasons that we want to do this, but really, it all comes down to two facts: It saves money that we can then use on much more productive things and it also helps protect the environment by using less of our resources.  We have all seen those tips online and on television on how to save energy and save money.  There are simple things that we can all do such as turning off unused lights, replacing light bulbs with more energy-efficient ones, unplugging devices when we are not using them, etc. However, when it comes to using less energy when it comes to heating and cooling, the most prominent way to make less go further is to increase the insulation in your home. While the insulation in your walls is very important, did you know that it is estimated that windows are responsible for 25%-30% of heat loss and heat gain?  The average one-story house has a total of 20 windows.  With this many windows, it is important to make sure they are properly sealed against the outside elements and effectively able to trap in your indoor climate.

So we now know the importance of keeping the indoor climate in and outdoor climate out of our homes, but how do we do it you might ask?  Well, there are several ways, but today I am going to go over the effectiveness of double pane argon-filled windows. If you're unaware of what argon gas is, it is a noble gas in the same family as helium, neon, krypton, xenon, radon, and oganesson.  Argon was discovered in 1785 by an English chemist and physicist Henry Cavendish. Today it is used in a variety of things such as lasers, plasma balls, light bulbs, rocket propellants, and glow tubes.  It is also used in windows to trap heat due to its colorless, flavorless, and odorless.  It is also non-toxic and non-detrimental to the environment if it is accidentally released.

Why should I replace my windows with argon gas-filled windows you might ask? Take a moment to inspect the diagram below.

As you can see from the diagram, argon gas-filled windows are made up of several parts making them much more effective than regular builder-grade windows. You have two sheets of clear glass that are coated with high-performance low-e coating. In the middle, you have your argon fill to insulate, desiccant to absorb moisture and seal to seal the window properly to the frame. 

Argon has long been viewed as an excellent insulator in windows due to its very low thermal conductivity meaning it does not produce heat on its own. It is also high in density making it hard for heat to pass through.  Due to this it is also commonly used to insulate diving suits to keep body heat trapped in the frigid temperatures in the ocean.

Are argon windows that much more cost-effective? It is estimated that by switching your builder-grade windows out with double pane argon-filled windows, you could reap savings of nearly $700 per year on your electric bill. If your windows are on the older side, the savings could be much more. With savings like that, it will be much easier to build up vacation funds, save for college, buy a new car, save for retirement, and much more.

While there are many ways to save money on your electric bills, upgrading your windows is certainly one of the more effective methods of doing so. With the never-ending increase of inflation on windows, there is no better time than now to upgrade your windows.