Milgard® Windows | Olander's Window Replacement

Milgard^® Replacement Windows in Tucson, AZ

There’s more to a window than just the frame. This video features Milgard^®‘s vinyl manufacturing processes. Learn about the rigorous processes and testing of our vinyl products, but more than that, it introduces you to some of the people behind our windows – Milgard^® employees who share a passion for and a commitment to the work they do.

Energy Efficient Windows

Olander’s Window Replacement in Tucson, Arizona takes pride in providing our customers with only the best and most energy efficient Low-E Glass meant for the extreme temperatures of Arizona and our choice is glass from one of America’s top manufacturers, Milgard^® Window & Doors.

We are proud to offer many quality options for windows and framing:

To give you a complete understanding of energy efficient windows here is a good overview.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, leaky and inefficient windows, skylights and doors account for up to 25 percent of the average household’s energy bills. Some sources estimate as high as 40 percent. A lot depends on where you live:

Cold climates lose energy in the form of heat
Hot climates lose energy in the form of cooling

The colder or hotter the climate, the greater your heating or cooling costs and the greater potential you have to save money on energy costs. Nearly everyone can benefit by replacing leaky, inefficient windows with modern energy-efficient windows. Depending on your location, you can cut energy costs by as much as 15 percent.

A Smart Investment

NFRC Label

Replacing all of a home’s windows can be a big investment. The good news is, it’s an investment that can pay for itself in just a few years. Here’s how:

Improves curb appeal and increases resale value. According to the 2008/09 Cost vs. Value Report (a combined effort by Remodeling magazine and REALTOR^® magazine), homeowners can expect to recoup about 93% percent for vinyl or wood window replacement.
Reduces heating and/or cooling costs, which saves you money every year.
Increases the comfort of your home.
Can qualify you for rebates and tax incentives. Check for rebates and tax incentives in your area.

To find out more about the many benefits of energy-efficient windows, visit the Efficient Windows Collaborative. The window selection tool on this site helps determine an approximate change in annual energy use given your home type, window type and geographic region.

Components of an Energy-Efficient Window

What’s an energy-efficient window? Most will have at a minimum:

Double-pane insulated glass
Heat-resistant (Low-E) glass coating
Airtight frames
ENERGY STAR® rating

Three Dimensions of Energy Efficient Window Design—An energy-efficient window is a synergy of its components. At Milgard^®, we call this the “three dimensions of energy efficient window design.” Here’s what you should look for in each of the three dimensions: glass, spacer and frame.

Frame – One of the important considerations you need to make is frame material. Two of the more energy efficient frame materials are vinyl and fiberglass. They do a particularly good job of reducing heat transfer and contributing to insulation value. Your ultimate decision on which of these to use may be based on aesthetics and cost. In making your selection, be sure to look for vinyl or fiberglass frames that have been specifically engineered for performance. For instance, both can be designed with chambers within the frame that enhance strength, noise reduction and insulation value.

Spacer – A spacer keeps a window’s dual glass panes the correct distance apart for optimal airflow between panes. Too much or too little airflow can affect the insulating glass efficiency. The design and material of the spacer also can make a big difference in the ability to handle expansion and contraction and thus reducing condensation.

Glass – Dual-pane designs use an air- or gas-filled space between two panes of glass. This insulates much better than a single pane. Special Low-E coating on the glass blocks infrared light to keep heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer. It also filters damaging ultraviolet light (UV) to help protect interior furnishings from fading.

ENERGY STAR® is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE). Its mission is to help us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. EPA and DOE set strict energy-efficiency guidelines for ENERGY STAR qualified products. In 2007 alone, ENERGY STAR helped Americans save more than $16 billion on their utility bills. For more information on ENERGY STAR qualified products, visit www.energystar.gov.

To become ENERGY STAR qualified, windows, doors and skylights must be independently tested and certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council and labeled according to ENERGY STAR climate zones. Manufacturers like Milgard^® (an ENERGY STAR partner) tailor the components of their windows to work most efficiently where you live.

Take Advantage of the new 2009 Federal Tax Credits – President Obama revised the tax credit with the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, signed into law on February 17. These revisions supersede the previous tax credit issued for 2009. Windows, doors, and skylights must now have a U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) less than or equal to 0.30, regardless of climate zone.

For the most up-to-date information on the windows tax credit, visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_taxcredits
For more general information on tax credits, visit www.energystar.gov/taxcredits

Other Tax Credits, Rebates and Offers – Many states and other governmental bodies, utilities and organizations offer rebates, tax credits and other special offers when you buy ENERGY STAR qualified products. Use the Special Offer/Rebate Finder on this page to see what’s available in your area.

ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the U.S. government.