ENERGY STAR Window and Door Guidelines for 2020
What do the 2020 Guidelines for ENERGY STAR® certified windows and doors mean for you and your home? Trust Build Windows and Doors have summarized the main points of the guidelines and highlighted how these apply to homeowners. This is valuable information to know regarding energy efficiency when you are looking to replace doors and windows. Luckily, Trust Build Windows and Doors has the most important takeaways of these standards.
These guidelines originate from ENERGY STAR®. The Canadian ENERGY STAR®program is run by Natural Resources Canada, but the ENERGY STAR® name is licensed for use from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All manufacturers in the program must sign an agreement with Natural Resources Canada for inclusion and accreditation based on the standards the organization puts forth. Since 1992, this voluntary program has encouraged manufacturers to create high-efficiency products that reduce energy consumption. The goals of the initiative range from helping to diminish greenhouse gas emissions to lowering your electric bill.
Why Energy-Efficiency Matters
Since windows and doors don’t run on electricity, it might seem strange that we can speak of them in terms of their “energy efficiency.” Yet because these items are in a system—your home—that is powered by electricity, and because they provide a barrier between the weather outside and the climate inside, energy plays a big role. Briefly, here are a few ways doors, windows, and skylights can affect your house’s energy consumption.
Firstly, energy-efficient windows and doors help minimize both heat loss and drafts in the cold winter as well as heat increase during the hot summer. Not only do you need quality products that do the job, but you need quality installation so that unwelcomed wind, rain, or heat never slip into your home. With energy-efficient windows and doors, your home can become more comfortable with a constant temperature throughout the year.
Secondly, certified ENERGY STAR®products shield the interior of your home from harmful UV rays. Your furniture, drapes, photographs, or wood floors can all start to show discoloration with prolonged exposure to sunlight and these UV rays. Protect your possessions in your home with windows that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR® guidelines.
Determining Energy-Efficiency
All certified products must follow stringent technical requirements for energy efficiency and performance. The Energy Rating (ER) is a formula that considers the combined effects of air leakage, the U-Factor, and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient for a given window or door. Air leakage refers to the flow of air allowed in and out of the home. The U-Factor is a formula calculated based on the heat transfer per time, per area, and per degree of temperature. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is the ratio of solar heat gain compared to the incident solar radiation.
The program agrees upon a minimum ER value for the product to be considered “energy efficient.”Their standards change from time to time for a few reasons. On one hand, the target numbers change as new information comes into the program. Additionally, ENERGY STAR® is intentionally raising expectations slowly for environmentally friendly products, instead of rolling out high standards that manufacturers cannot reasonable meet at the moment.
Buying Energy-Efficient Windows
There are several key features to look for when buying an energy-efficient window. Even if a product says it is ENERGY STAR®-certified, be sure to check that it has the following features before purchasing it:
- The gap between Panes -What gives windows and doors the greatest thermal insulating strength is the gap between the glass panes. You can expect more insulation from the outside the wider apart the panes.
- Argon or Krypton Gas – These gases are placed between the panes of a window. They produce up to 50 percent less heat than pure air, which helps prevent heat loss and condensation.
- Low Emissive Coatings– Low emissive coatings help reduce energy gain from heat infiltration. The coatings also prevent the intrusion of harmful UV rays into your home.
- Fixed Windows – Also note that fixed windows, as opposed to windows that swing open, are generally better at maintaining the home’s internal temperature.
The Value of Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors
Energy-efficient windows and doors can save you money, keep your home’s temperature constant, and can contribute toward protecting natural resources. All of these are great reasons to buy ENERGY STAR®-certified windows and doors for your next remodel or home construction.
However, finding a great product is only step one; installation services are just as important in making sure the product does its job. Trust Build Windows and Doors provide Canada access to premium products and professional installation services so you can be sure to reap the benefits of energy-efficient doors and windows. The team at Trust Build Windows is ready to help you find, purchase, and install ENERGY STAR® products, so give us a call or message us right away.
