Unfortunately, not everyone in the sales industry is aware of how low-e and argon gas work or the many benefits they offer. Low-e coatings are applied to the surface of the glass or suspended between the panes. They allow heat from the sun into the home, but slow heat from escaping. This is possible because heat radiating from objects inside the home is on a different wavelength than heat from the sun. Argon replaces the air between the two panes of glass.
Air rises against the inside, warmer pane and falls when it hits the outside, cooler pane.
Argon slows this method of heat loss because it is heavier than air and, therefore, harder to get moving. Energy-efficient windows also reduce condensation potential. Condensation will form on standard windows at a relative humidity as low as 35 per cent on cold days. With low-e, gas filled windows, the RH may be as high as 50 per cent before condensation forms. Insulated spacers reduce condensation around the edge of the window.