Yellowknife (Mar 01/04) - When it comes to making your home a better place to live in the North, efficient doors and windows can actually have quite an impact on your energy bill.

Tracy Corothers, assistant manager of Home Building Supplies in Yellowknife, said buying efficient doors and windows could put a dent in the bank account initially but in the end it pays off.

"There is a slight cost increase but the amount of extra money you save on your energy bill in the first year is worth it," he said.

Corothers is referring to the solar shield window, which contains a low-e coating and argon gas in between the panes of glass.

"These types of windows keep the heat in during the winter months and keep it out in the summer," said Corothers. "The (argon gas) seals the cold air between the two panes."

Because the Northern climate is quite unique when it comes to temperature changes, Ron Kapicki, sales manager at Johnson's Building Supplies in Yellowknife, said newer homes are often equipped with these efficient windows during construction.

Owners of older homes are also upgrading their windows as they recognize the benefits of having "glazed" windows.

"In newer homes, most people are buying a triple-glaze window," said Kapicki, adding these have an R-value of eight, the highest rating when measuring the resistance of heat transfer. The higher the R-value, the better the insulating effect.

"In the winter they save energy and in the summer they save energy," he said.

Although doors don't necessarily have the same impact as efficient windows on an energy bill, Corothers said there are still options when choosing your design.

He said a metal door is the safest, most efficient exterior door.

"A metal door is better than a solid wood door because it is sprayed with foam insulation," he said. "For interior doors, I would be talking wood."

Kapicki agreed and said most metal doors contain a glaze with an insulator in it. When it comes to saving money, however, there isn't much of an impact.

"Basically, the type of door and the design of it is what matters," he said.

"It's your choice."

Meanwhile, Corothers said efficiency should always be at the top of the list when purchasing new doors and windows for a home.

"It is a really good idea to go that extra bit to make sure your home is energy efficient," he said.