What is ENERGY STAR?
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ENERGY STAR is a
joint program of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the U.S.
Department of Energy helping us all
save money and protect the environment
through energy efficient products and
practices.
For more information, visit the
ENERGY STAR website at
http://www.energystar.gov/.
In 2008 alone, Americans like you, with
the help of
ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy to
avoid greenhouse gas emissions
equivalent to those from 29 million
cars—while saving $19 billion on their
utility bills.
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What does this program consider as
an ENERGY STAR Qualified Window or
Door?
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Every
ENERGY STAR qualified window is
independently certified by the National
Fenestration Rating Council, or NFRC,
to perform at levels that meet or
exceed strict energy efficiency
guidelines set by the U.S. Dept. of
Energy. Just like the EPA sticker on a
new car gives you a car’s fuel economy,
or miles per gallon, the NFRC label
will help you measure and compare the
energy performance of different window
brands.
ENERGY STAR requirements for
windows and doors vary by climate zone.
For instance, a window that is energy
efficient in Miami, FL will not be the
best choice in Anchorage, Alaska.
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What criteria does the ENERGY STAR
Program use for Window and Door
Performance?
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The first energy
performance rating is the
U-Factor. U-Factor measures
heat transfer through a window and
tells you how well the window
insulates. The lower the U-factor, the
better the window insulates. During
winter months, the lower a windows’
overall U-factor, the less heat you
will lose through that window, and the
less energy you will use to heat your
home.
The second
performance rating is Solar
Heat Gain Coefficient. This
measures how much solar heat is
admitted into your home through the
window, and tells you how well the
window blocks heat caused by sunlight.
The lower the SHGC, the better the
window is at blocking heat. During
summer months, a lower SHGC means less
solar radiation is admitted through
your windows, keeping your home cooler,
and saving you money on running your
air conditioner.
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The ENERGY STAR Label
The
ENERGY STAR label shows highlighted
regions that indicate if the product
was designed to deliver energy
efficient performance in a
specific area.
Technologies window manufacturers can use
to fabricate ENERGY STAR qualified windows
include:
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Improved framing
materials such as vinyl.
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Two or more panes
of glass with a Low-E coating that
blocks UV rays and reduces solar heat.
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Warm edge spacers,
such as foam, that keep the panes
separated without acting as a conductor
to help fight heat loss and reduce
condensation.
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Argon or krypton
gas fills between the panes provide
better insulation. These gases are
odorless, colorless, and non-toxic.
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Benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified Windows
and Doors
Save Energy & Money
- Windows can account for almost
one-quarter of household energy use. Many
studies tell us that the number one
priority of homeowners like you in
replacing windows is energy savings.
- Installing
ENERGY STAR qualified window and doors
in your home will lower your energy bills
by 7-15% compared to non-qualified
products.
- Lower energy consumption also reduces
greenhouse gas emissions from power plants
and shrinks a home’s carbon footprint.
Refer to the
Savings When Replacing map on the ENERGY
STAR website for potential savings in your
area.
Increased Comfort
ENERGY STAR qualified windows can help put
an end to cold drafts and overheated rooms in
your home by keeping your home’s temperature
consistently comfortable.
Prevent Fading of Interior Furnishings
With repeated exposure to direct
sunlight, drapes, carpeting, wood flooring and
photos can fade or discolor. ENERGY
STAR qualified windows have special
coatings that act like a sunscreen for your
house, enabling you to let in the light you
want while blocking ultraviolet rays that can
damage your furnishings.
