One distressed homeowner discovered a solution to multiple problems without costly window replacement
When a contractor in Reno, Nevada set out to solve an external noise problem that was driving his customer crazy, he discovered a cure that unexpectedly provided the added benefits of significant energy savings and increased comfort. This was achieved quickly without costly window replacement by simply adding a second insulative window. His customer was thrilled with the results.
The approach can not only prevent loud external noise like street traffic from penetrating windows into the home – it can stop up to 95% of outside noise – but also can cut costly winter energy bills essentially in half..
In the case of a Nevada contractor’s homeowner customer, the main concern was intrusive street noise, so getting better energy efficiency and comfort was a happy surprise.
“We live in the middle of a downtown casino and hotel district that is extremely busy with traffic and special events, and really needed soundproofing,” said the homeowner, who resides in an approximately 70-year old brick structure with old fashioned wood framed windows. “Before these windows were added to our existing windows, you could easily hear the conversation of every couple walking down the street, every car with a premium sound system sounded like it was in the living room with us, and special events were a nuisance.”
While replacement windows were an option, the contractor realized that such windows are not really designed to reduce noise, and the vast majority of exterior noise enters through windows, not walls. The problem with a typical dual pane window is that the dual panes act like a drum and reverberate in response to external noise vibrations. The result is that the noise as sound vibrations transfers right through the panes. On top of this, the seals of most dual pane windows degrade within a few years, which allows even more outside noise to pass through.
Instead, the contractor turned to Soundproof Windows, a national manufacturer of window soundproofing and energy efficiency products, which specializes in adding a “second insulative window” that can be installed easily in front of the existing window. The product is designed specifically to match and function like the original window, no matter its design or whether it opens or closes, and can be installed in hours without construction. The company also offers a “second sliding patio door” that follows the same principle.
This approach first lessens sound vibrations with an inner window of laminated glass installed behind the existing window. The lamination acts like a finger placed on a vibrating wine glass to deaden the sound vibrations when struck. An inner layer of
tough polyvinyl, similar to that used in car windshields, further dampens sound vibrations.
Next, air space of 2-4 inches between the existing window and the soundproof window also significantly improves noise reduction because it isolates the window frame from external sound vibrations.
Finally, spring-loaded seals in the second window frame put a constant squeeze on the glass panels. This prevents sound leaks and helps to stop noise from vibrating through the glass. The spring-loaded seals are designed to stay acoustically sound for decades.
The soundproofing proved effective for the Nevada homeowner. “Now, we hardly even know there is ever a car, person or event outside,” he said.
The same practice has an extra benefit that has helped to minimize high energy bills in the homeowner’s Reno, Nevada location, where seasonal temperature extremes typically range from the low 20s to mid-90s F°.
The approach adds an inner insulating window to existing windows, and a “second sliding patio door” that can be installed inside or outside of the existing door. This can reduce heat loss by 77% or more for single paned windows, and home heating/cooling bills by up to 50%, while stopping air infiltration for further energy savings and greater comfort.
Adding the inner window, in fact, provides an additional layer of insulation with better insulation values than the best double pane windows, and substantially improves insulation values for dual pane windows as well. The second sliding patio door has even greater insulation value due to its greater surface area.
After installation, his home was tested for air leakage. Part of the test used a fog machine situated inside the kitchen where an energy efficient second insulative window was added. With only the original window shut and the fog machine running, testing clearly showed the presence of air leaks.
When the interior energy efficient second window was closed and the fog machine run, none of the fog generated from the machine could be seen escaping outside his home. This indicated that adding the second insulative window had stopped the air leakage.
In tracking his fuel consumption records on his oil furnace before and after installing the second energy efficient insulative windows, the results over two years surprised him.
“Previously, my overall energy usage for the winter … was 550 gallons for a total of $1978.00. During the … [next] winter season [with the insulative windows], I only consumed 300 gallons of fuel for a total of $983.00. This is a $995 savings from the prior year, and 250 gallons less heating oil used,” he said.
According to calculations based on his records, this resulted in 49.7% savings on his energy bills, as well as a 54.5% decrease in fuel consumption over that same time period.
“Not only did I consume less fuel and use less energy, but … I filled up approximately every two months as opposed to every month,” he adds.
Besides the soundproofing and energy savings, the homeowner also realized a significant increase in comfort with the addition of the second insulative windows.
“[Before] every winter was frigid in the house while the furnace ran continuously to keep up. If you stood near a window you would freeze,” he said.
“After adding the energy efficient windows, our energy bill has been cut in half. Even more important to me than the energy savings and soundproofing, was that the comfort level inside my home changed from being very uncomfortable to amazingly relaxing and peaceful,” he concludes.
As homeowners spend more time at home, the quick addition of second insulative windows can not only bring some needed peace and quiet, but also energy savings and comfort.
For more information, contact Soundproof Windows, Inc. at 4673 Aircenter Circle, Reno, NV 89502; call 1-877-438-7843; email sales@soundproofwindows.com; or visit http://www.soundproofwindows.com
