In the Know... about Windows and Doors

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Installing ENERGY STAR-qualified windows lowers energy bills and  saves you money over single pane and even new double pane, clear-glass windows.

Installing ENERGY STAR qualified windows lowers energy bills and  saves you money over single-pane and even new double pane, clear-glass  windows

For a typical home, choose ENERGY STAR and save:

• $126–$465 a year when replacing single-pane windows
• $27–$111 a year over double-pane, clear glass replacement windows

In summer, do some of your rooms feel like a sauna? A typical  double-pane, clear-glass window allows approximately 75 percent of the  sun’s heat into your home. Most ENERGY STAR qualified windows transfer  much less heat, typically without reducing visible light. You get the  light you need without the uncomfortable heat.

New ENERGY STAR qualified windows can help reduce your energy bill up to 15 percent. Estimated  savings vary from region to region depending on current heating and  cooling costs and are generally greatest where there are hot summers,  cold winters or both.  Additionally, ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and skylights do  more than just lower energy bills-they deliver more comfort, create less  condensation, and protect your valuables from sun damage better than  conventional clear-glass double-pane alternatives

On cold winter nights, do you avoid seats near the window? The cold,  inside surface of an inefficient window pulls heat away from your body,  so you can feel chilly in a sweater with the thermostat at 70 degrees.  With ENERGY STAR qualified windows, the interior glass stays warmer, so  you can enjoy your window seat even when the temperature outside dips  well below freezing.

On winter mornings, is there fog on the inside or the outside of your  windows? If an inefficient window or window frame gets too cold, indoor  moisture can condense or even freeze on the interior surface and then  pool on the sill. Over time, chronic condensation can damage sills,  cause paint to crack, and encourage the growth of mold. Advanced  technologies enable ENERGY STAR qualified windows to keep the interior  of the glass and frame warmer, reducing the potential for condensation  and ensuring a clearer view on winter mornings. 

WARM WEATHER BENEFITS SHIELDING FROM SUMMER HEAT

In summer, do some of your rooms feel like a sauna? A typical  double pane, clear-glass window allows approximately 75 percent of the  sun’s heat into your home. Most ENERGY STAR qualified windows transfer  much less heat, typically without reducing visible light. You get the  light you need without the uncomfortable heat.

SAFEGUARDING VALUABLE INTERIORS

Your favorite photograph, your child’s artwork and even your couch  can fade or discolor after repeated exposure to direct sunlight. Most  Low-E coatings, the same coatings that keep out the summer heat, can  reduce fading by up to 75 percent. These coatings act like sunscreen for  your house, blocking damaging ultraviolet rays without noticeably  reducing visible light.

Thanks to a host of new technologies, ENERGY STAR-qualified windows, doors, and skylights keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, making you more comfortable and reducing over all heating  and cooling bills

Please click the 'Find out more' button below to be re-directed to the Official Energy Star Website to explore more in detail about Energy Star Window and Door options, Federal Tax Breaks and more...

Every ENERGY STAR-qualified window, door, and skylight is  independently certified to perform at levels that meet or exceed strict  energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy

Shopping for new windows, doors, and skylights can be grossly  confusing.. ENERGY STAR makes it simple! Follow these simple steps to  ensure your windows, doors, and skylights are the most energy efficient  that deliver the savings and comfort you are paying for, all year around. 

• Determine your ENERGY STAR Climate Zone
• Look for the ENERGY STAR Label. 
• Make sure you ask for Energy Star when ordering                    
• All ENERGY STAR window, door, and skylight manufacturers partners  special offers that meet the ENERGY STAR criteria.  Ensure you ask for  them! 
• Windows, doors, and skylights should display an official ENERGY STAR label (examples above)  or an equivalent custom type of label, next to the NFRC label. There  are a variety of custom labels, but all should include the same elements  as the official label which consist of the follow information:                   
  • The ENERGY STAR Certification Mark
  • A map showing where the product is qualified
  • A qualification statement
• Have Windows, Doors, and Skylights Installed Properly               
• To ensure you get the most out of your windows, doors, and  skylights, have them installed by trained professionals, according to  manufacturer specifications. All other installations could void your  warranty

Four Steps to ensure you get the most of Energy Savings

• PROPER INSTALLATION: 
  • To ensure you get the most out of your windows, doors, and  skylights, have them installed by trained professionals according to  manufacturer specifications.  Other installers and installations could  void the warranty. When hiring a contractor, interview as many  candidates as possible and ask for references. If installation requires  scraping lead-based paint, be sure to take proper precautions.
• WINDOW ORIENTATION: 
  • When building a new home, or planning a major addition, consider the  orientation of all windows.  Orienting windows to the south and using  roof overhangs can substantially help reduce energy use by providing  shade from the sun in the summer and you will gain solar heat in the  winter. Overhangs are much less effective against the lower angles of  the east and west sun, therefore reducing the size and number or east  and west facing windows will also help reduce energy usage.
• SEALING OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS: 
  • Image if you could actually see every hidden air leak in your home  or business.  If you added up all these air leaks they would probably  equal a hole the size of an open window! To maximize efficiency, seal  all the gaps where air can leak in or out, including those around  windows, doors, wiring holes, recessed lights, attic hatches, plumbing  vents, and more. Stopping drafts can make you feel more comfortable and  will reduce overall energy usage and bills.
• PLANT A TREE: 
  • Ever wonder why deciduous trees are planted near south, east, and  west-facing windows?  These tress were strategically planted in these  locations to provide needed shade in the summer, and to let in the sun's  heat during the winter.  Trees planted in the proper locations on a lot  can not only reduce your energy usage, but will decrease your energy  bills and increase the value of your lot, home or business.

Get the Trusted advise you need to improve your home or business today!

The Energy Star Advisor can provide you with recommended improvement  projects to increase energy efficiency and comfort in the area you live.