What does ENERGY STAR qualified mean for windows?
Save Money — and More. Choose ENERGY STAR Certified Products.Installing ENERGY STAR certified windows, doors, and skylights can shrink energy bills — and carbon footprints — by an average of 12 percent nationwide, compared to non-certified products. Show
For typical homes, choose ENERGY STAR and save on average*:
* Ranges are based on the average savings among homes in modeled cities. Actual savings will vary based on local climate conditions, utility rates, and individual home characteristics. UPGRADE TO ENERGY STARANNUAL HEATING AND COOLING SAVINGS1Savings estimates are based on RESFEN 6.0 calculations performed by D&R International in support of ENERGY STAR. View methodology. Get ComfortableComfort. It’s the essential quality of home. ENERGY STAR certified windows, doors and skylights do more than just lower energy bills — they deliver comfort that other products just can’t match. PROTECTION FROM WINTER CHILLSOn 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 certified windows, the interior glass stays warmer, so you can enjoy your window seat even when the temperature outside dips well below freezing. SHIELDING FROM SUMMER HEATDo some of your rooms feel like a sauna in the summer? A standard double-pane window allows approximately 75 percent of the sun’s heat into your home.1 With ENERGY STAR certified windows you can stay cool all summer long. Most ENERGY STAR certified windows reduce the “heat gain” into your home more than typical windows do, without reducing the visible light. You get the light you need without the uncomfortable heat. 1 Source: Residential Windows. Carmody, Selkowitz, Arasteh, and Heschong. 2007. Protect Your ValuablesDrapes, wood floors, a favorite photograph: all these things can fade or discolor after repeated exposure to direct sunlight. Whether their value is monetary or sentimental, you want to protect your belongings from fading and discoloring. ENERGY STAR certified windows have coatings that keep out the summer heat and act like sunscreen for your house, protecting your valuables from harmful, fading ultraviolet light without noticeably reducing visible light. These special coatings reduce fading by up to 75 percent.1 1 Source: Residential Windows. Carmody, Selkowitz, Arasteh, and Heschong. 2007. What is a Carbon Footprint?Your personal carbon footprint measures the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions caused by your activities. It includes CO2 emissions from such things as driving your car or flying in a plane, the manufacture and distribution of the products you buy, and turning on the lights in your home. A carbon footprint is usually measured in pounds or tons of CO2 per year. You can calculate your carbon footprint using the EPA Carbon Footprint Calculator: https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/ . Home energy use accounts for about one-quarter of your carbon footprint, but this can vary depending on the kinds of energy sources available to power your home. ENERGY STAR calculates carbon savings for ENERGY STAR certified windows, doors and skylights based on the mix of fuels in a region and the estimated energy use for a typical home. Sources:
You can use the energy performance ratings of windows, doors, and skylights to understand their potential for gaining and losing
heat, as well as bringing sunlight into your home. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) operates a voluntary program that tests, certifies, and labels windows, doors, and skylights based on their energy performance ratings. The NFRC label provides a reliable way to determine a window's energy properties and to compare products. The NFRC label can be found on all ENERGY STAR®
qualified window, door, and skylight products, but ENERGY STAR bases its qualification only on U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient ratings, which are described below. Windows, doors, skylights can gain and lose heat through: These properties can be measured and rated according to the following energy performance characteristics: Sunlight TransmittanceThe ability of glazing in a window, door, or skylight to transmit sunlight into a home can be measured and rated according to the following energy performance characteristics:
Recommended Performance Ratings by Climate ZoneReview the state fact sheets or use the window selection tool for new construction or existing homes from the Efficient Windows Collaborative to determine the desired performance ratings for your climate. Subscribe to Energy Saver Updates Subscribe to receive updates from Energy Saver, including new blogs, updated content, and seasonal energy saving tips for consumers and homeowners.
DIY Projects: WindowsWhat is ENERGY STAR certified window?ENERGY STAR certified windows have coatings that keep out the summer heat and act like sunscreen for your house, protecting your valuables from harmful, fading ultraviolet light without noticeably reducing visible light. These special coatings reduce fading by up to 75 percent. Source: Residential Windows.
What does it mean to be ENERGY STAR qualified?Products that are ENERGY STAR® qualified are equivalent to or better than standard products, with one important difference: they use less energy. To learn the ENERGY STAR® rating, products must meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Department of Energy.
How do I know if my windows are ENERGY STAR qualified?Qualifying Products
Comply with current ENERGY STAR Eligibility Criteria, which define performance requirements and test procedures for residential windows, doors, and skylights. A list of eligible products and their corresponding Eligibility Criteria can be found at www.energystar.gov/specifications.
What is a good energy rating on windows?In a hot climate, the best U-factor ratings fall between 0.17 and 0.30. To put this in perspective, a standard clear window with one pane of glass will have a U-factor rating of approximately 1.09. In general, look for the lowest U-factor when buying energy efficient windows.
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