When windows filled with argon are transported and installed in buildings above 5 000 ft however lower atmospheric pressure causes the argon gas to expand which in turn can lead to adverse effects.
Argon filled windows at high altitude.
One competing window rep claims that all windows regardless of elevation will lose their gas fill over time because of the small size of the argon or krypton atoms.
It is also likely that water vapor will gradually enter the ig unit resulting in fogging if enough moisture gets in.
I have a couple of concerns about the longevity of the gas fill.
Argon permeation is greater than air for most ig sealants which can result in negative pressure in the ig air space.
While an air filled gap between two panes helps improve window efficiency argon or krypton gas infills are even better.
Secondarily we can sell the windows with capillary tubes or air filled.
There are also concerns about maintaining the gas fill levels over time.
These inert gases are denser than regular air so they slow heat transfer to a crawl keeping more of the heated air inside your high altitude home.
These units will not qualify for the tax credit and will not meet energy star northern region.
Argon filled units also cannot use breather tubes for high altitude applications.