Q. What does my electric bill fluctuate so much?

A. Many things can cause your energy bills to fluctuate. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you've noticed an increase in your usage.

Has there been a significant hot or cold spell?
Hot summer and cold winter days mean your heating and cooling system has to work harder to keep your home comfortable. Prepare ahead by improving the insulation in your home and preventing air leaks.

Have you added to your home?
A new room makes your heating and cooling system work harder and longer, thus increasing your energy usage.

Have you been on vacation?
Your bill will probably go down a little while you're away, then go back to normal when you return and wash extra laundry, etc.

Are there more people in your house than usual?
More people (especially a new baby) mean more showers or baths, more laundry, and a general increase in electricity use for lights, television, warmer rooms, etc.

Have you added or replaced any major appliances?
Adding a dishwasher, for example, means more electricity for the appliance and possibly more to heat water. Use our handy online calculator to see how much it costs to run your appliances.

Have you checked the filters in your heating and cooling system lately?
Clogged filters increase the energy necessary to operate your system. Clean or replace your filter(s) monthly and keep your system operating at maximum efficiency with an annual checkup by a qualified technician.

What are your thermostat settings?
During the heating season, set your thermostat back at night on gas, oil or propane systems. For heat pump systems, it's best to find a comfortable setting and leave it there. During the cooling season, save as much as 3% on your energy costs for every degree you raise the thermostat setting. Use ceiling fans to help circulate cooled air.

What rate are you currently on?
Check the rates in your area to see if a more economical one might benefit you and your lifestyle.

Q. How much energy does the average home use?

A. A typical U.S. home uses about 44 cents out of every energy dollar for heating and cooling. Another 14 cents goes to water heating and 9 cents is used for refrigerators and freezers. The remaining 33 cents is used for appliances, electronics and lighting. Below is a chart that compares how energy is used.

Q. How is energy measured?

A. There are many ways to measure energy. Some make sense for different kinds of fuels, and some make sense for different kinds of work. When you buy fuel, the bill might be expressed in terms of volume, like gallons or cubic feet, or in terms of content, like therms or Btus. Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh. Gas is typically measured in therms or cubic feet. These are all measures of energy, but how do they compare?

The BTU (British Thermal Unit) is useful for comparisons between fuels. One BTU is the amount of heat-energy required to raise 1 pound of water from 60°F to 61°F. It is also roughly the amount of energy released by burning a single wooden kitchen match.

Q.  What makes a window or door energy efficient?

A.  Numerous factors, including how the frame and sashes are engineered and built, the type of glass used (single-, double- or triple-pane), the weatherstripping, the type of low-emissivity coating on the glass and the presence of argon or krypton gas.

Q.  What is an R-value and how important is it in selecting windows?

A.  Although the U-value is actually the important number in evaluating windows and doors today, most people are more familiar with the related concept of R-value (or R-factor). The R-factor of a window is the measure of its resistance to the transfer of heat flow. The higher its R-value, the greater its insulating ability.

Q.  What is a U-value?

A.  U-value (or U-factor) is the measure of the window's ability to conduct heat—in other words, the amount of heat transmitted through the window. The lower a window's U-value, the better the window is at insulating your home.

Q.  What is Low-E and, how important is it to have it on your windows or doors?

A.  Low-E stands for low emissivity and is a fairly new advancement in glass technology. Basically, it's a microscopic, metallic coating—applied to a surface of glass—that reflects and re-radiates heat energy either into or out of a home depending on climate conditions. Using Low- E is an excellent way to increase the energy efficiency of a window. In fact, it's so effective that every Gorell window with Low-E is ENERGY STAR®-compliant in every region of the U.S.

Q.  What is ENERGY STAR^®—and what does it have to do with windows and doors?

A.  ENERGY STAR is a U.S. government program—administered by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency with the cooperation of manufacturers—that's designed to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels through the education of consumers. The program covers many different types of products. Windows and doors can only carry the ENERGY STAR label if they are tested by an independent laboratory through the NFRC program and meet specific, predetermined U-value ratings. By selecting ENERGY STAR products, you will reduce your energy costs and help make the environment cleaner.

Q.  What is the NFRC and what should I know about it?

A.  NFRC stands for the National Fenestration Rating Council. It's a program established by the U.S. Department of Energy to help consumers compare window products and options. Window manufacturers participating in the program are required to label every window to its specific thermal performance level. Customers are then ensured that the products they select meet the requirements for their application. Participation in the NFRC program is voluntary. Not all manufacturers participate because it requires outside third party inspection and extensive product testing. Gorell IS a participant in the NFRC program.

Q.  Does argon or krypton gas between glass panes really make a difference in energy efficiency?

A.  For air to insulate well, it needs to be as still as possible because moving air carries energy. Both argon and krypton are heavier than air—so they're less prone to convection or thermal movement. The bottom line is that heavier-than-air gases offer a higher level of insulation. Both argon and krypton are found naturally in the air you breathe and are completely harmless.

Q.  How important is weatherstripping?

A.  Very. Weatherstripping is important because it provides the barrier against air and water in windows and doors. It is the only element of operating windows or doors that make them reasonably air tight. High-quality weatherstripping that's applied and compressed properly really does improve the insulating performance of windows.

Q.  What are the different types of weatherstripping, and what benefits do each have?

A.  Although there are many different types of weatherstripping, they basically fall into one of three categories—woven piles, flaps, and hollow or foam bulbs. Which is best? That depends on the window style, design and application. Windows and doors that are expertly engineered—like Gorell's—are designed with weatherstripping that creates the tightest possible seal and holds up to time and heavy use.

Q.  Is there a way to improve the energy efficiency of existing (prime) windows that are still in good condition but have just a single pane of glass?

A.  High-quality, custom-built storm windows represent a practical way to improve the efficiency of existing windows that are in good condition. Be sure to choose only high-quality, custom-built storm products for your existing windows to ensure the tightest possible fit and to seal out the elements.