The ENERGY STAR program has aimed to reduce energy costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and preserve the climate since its 1992 founding. It gives a stamp of approval to materials that increase energy efficiency, minimize environmental impact, and prevent the waste of electricity and fossil fuels.
A window with low SHGC can substantially reduce cooling costs in warm climates by preventing sunlight from heating indoor air. Windows in Southern and South-Central climates should have an SHGC of less than 0.25, but SHGC is less important in cold, Northern climates. Blocking solar heat also means less natural light, so homeowners in cold climates may want to opt for windows with a higher SHGC.
Some homeowners may benefit from having both high and low SHGC windows to make use of passive solar heating. Combining high SHGC south-facing windows with shading features such as trees and overhangs that block heat during the summer makes for an energy-efficient home.
ENERGY STAR-rated windows list their metrics on a rectangular NFRC label. The brand, make, and model of the window will typically be at the top, and an NFRC-certified logo will be at the top left. Beneath it will be the U-factor and SHGC, and beneath those will be the air leakage and VT ratings. Condensation resistance may also be listed toward the bottom.
Energy-efficient windows reduce heating and cooling costs and lower your carbon footprint. ENERGY STAR windows also reduce sound transference and block UV radiation, which protects your belongings from sun damage.
In winter, poorly performing windows, doors and skylights can create drafts by cycling air at different temperatures through your home. In summer, they can make heating and cooling more difficult by allowing the sun to influence the temperature in the room. High-performing products help to keep temperatures consistent year-round, so your home stays comfortable no matter the conditions.
All Energy Star-qualified windows are independently tested, certified, and verified according to the procedures established by the NFRC. The NFRC is a third-party nonprofit organization that certifies rating and labeling to help consumers evaluate window performance and energy efficiency.
The condensation resistance score measures how well the window resists water buildup. The CR score is shown on a scale of zero to 100. The higher this factor, the less water buildup the window allows. Avoid windows with a CR score below 50.
Energy Star window performance ratings vary by region, since windows perform differently in different climates. The Energy Star label has a U.S. map, which is shaded in blue to signify which area a window is Energy Star-rated in. The two factors that vary regionally are the U-factor and SHGC.
And in this guide, we want to tell you everything you need to know about energy-efficient windows, what the difference between A Rated windows and B Rated windows is and what the overall impact these have on your home.
In the short term, there is a higher up-front cost in order to receive and install A Rated or B Rated windows into the property, but the long term is how much impact those windows will have in reducing energy bills, promoting heat retention and boosting sustainability and energy efficiency throughout the house.
The cost of energy bills may not be reduced as greatly as A Rated windows and heat loss may become more of a factor the lower down the window energy rating scale you get, but take into account the up-front cost for C Rated windows would be considerably much lower.
We understand there is a trade-off between up-front costs and overall energy-saving benefits. But to go lower than C Rated windows, especially for an upgrade would potentially not be worth the investment due to not seeing any positive energy impacts for heat retention within the home.
However, this is purely our advice and each situation and homeowner is different. Please proceed with caution before investing in any double glazing windows and be sure to gather your research beforehand, to make an informed decision.
Find an installer near you to get quotes for free and with no obligation from our network of double glazing installers. Alternatively, use our QuoteBuilding tool where you can design online to your own specifications, the types of windows you want in your home and at the end, receive a free quote.
An A Rated window is one of the best performing windows on the market in terms of energy efficiency, heat retention and overall performance. A Rated windows help cut energy bills and can help keep heat in the home for longer.
Our Interior Surface Low-E is engineered to have a lower U-Factor, and is applied to the interior surface of the glass, providing increased comfort and improved energy savings. The U-Factor of this glass is lowered approximately 0.04, improving energy efficiency so that many of our doors and windows meet new energy codes and ENERGY STAR zone requirements.
Argon is a safe, odorless, colorless, naturally occurring gas, which is denser than air (40%* denser than air). When used in conjunction with Low-E glass, argon provides better insulation because heat and cold do not pass through argon gas as easily as through air, providing better performance. Argon is non-toxic and presents no human health or environmental concerns. Ply Gem offers gas-filled insulated units in a number of windows and patio doors.
Our HP3MAX glass package is a triple pane unit that combines three lites of Low-E with an interior glass substrate, two chambers of argon gas fill and Warm Edge spacer. Windows with the HP3MAX glass system are among the most thermally efficient windows you can buy today.
Energy Package MAX (EPMAX) combines the HP3MAX glass package with R-Core in the sash and frame. Interforce II fiberglass reinforcement is placed in the meeting rails of Premium Series double hung and sliding windows.
Windows serve many purposes in your home. A good window can keep energy costs down by preventing drafts, maintaining temperature and withstanding the elements - all while improving the aesthetic of your home. But with many types of windows on the market, how do you decide what to buy? Here are some considerations to help you choose the right window for your home.
All ENERGY STAR windows are certified by the Canadian Standards Association based on energy performance. Windows are tested and verified by an independent third party to ensure that the product will perform properly.
Is your home drafty? Need to replace your furnace? Want lower energy bills? Me2 is here to help with easy and affordable energy-saving upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, air conditioners, and now, windows. Me2 helps you take some of the dollars you are wasting on high energy bills and put them into energy-saving home improvements.
The City of Milwaukee is pleased to partner with Summit Credit Union to help Milwaukee homeowners finance energy saving improvements. Me financing helps you pay for your home upgrades in affordable monthly payments as you save on your energy bill. Summit Credit Union offers low-interest loans that do not require home equity.
These include (but are not limited to): electrical upgrades, asbestos/vermiculite removal, oil tank removal, minor roof repair, minor carpentry work such as creating attic access, mechanical ventilation, and door replacements.
A great resource for navigating the complexities of energy efficiency improvements is the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade, a carefully crafted set of six high-impact, energy efficiency improvements for your home. Designed to work together to deliver significant energy and cost savings, these upgrades can also help you transition from fossil fuels for a cleaner, healthier and more comfortable home.
Participating Me2 Full Service or Insulation/Air Sealing Contractors can provide a comprehensive home energy assessment that will identify solutions customized for your home. Focus on Energy also provides rebates for insulation and airs sealing, but not for windows. Customers wishing to finance windows through Me2 should have their participating Me2 contractor complete the Me2 Windows Form.
For a window to be ENERGY STAR rated, it must be certified by an independent laboratory. If you are considering eligibility for home improvement rebates and grants from the government or from your energy company, ENERGY STAR windows are likely to a requirement. Moreover, you will be required to work with a window installer that has been accredited to install ENERGY STAR rated windows, such as Eco Choice Windows and Doors.
Double-glazed windows have two panes with one air chamber. Triple-glazed windows have three panes of glass with two air chambers. No wonder, then, triple-glazed offer several times better thermal performance.
For the most energy efficient windows, opt for triple-glazed windows with high levels of Low-E coating. Speak to an Eco Choice Windows and Doors representative to understand what configuration of energy efficient windows will strike the right balance between insulation and budget. Call us at +1-855-691-1914 to schedule a free consultation for new or retrofitting windows.
The Low-E coating is a one-time coating that is applied evenly to the entire surface of the glass. While most people think the coating makes the glass much more expensive, the truth is the initial cost of this additional coating is typically just a couple more dollars than regular glass windows.
Manufacturers can tint windows by adding alloy materials to the glass, which can drastically change the color of the glass by the end result. While this might help some with UV protection, it can potentially cause other windows throughout the project to vary in color, especially if you have different window sizes. Low-E, on the other hand, is applied to the glass and generally creates no inconsistencies in color, depending on the thickness. Low-E for the win!
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