There is a new energy tax credit being debated in Congress. Based on what I am reading, homeowners may want to act this year if considering replacing their windows.

The initial language of the bill says homeowners would get 10% or up to a $200 (capped) tax rebate if they purchase windows that are Energy Star rated. There is a second way to increase your rebate. If homeowners purchase replacement windows that meet or exceed the R-5 program, they can get up to 30% or up to $1000 (capped).

The current expiring tax credit allows you a 30% tax credit up to $1500 for this year. For homeowners to qualify for this tax credit, they need to purchase windows with a .30 U value and a .30 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). Most Energy Star rated windows fall into this category but homeowners need to make sure this is what they are purchasing.

Also, with the Energy Tax Credit that is expiring at the end of the year, it is important to note that to get the rebate, the windows must be installed or be ‘in service’ by December 31, 2010. Because many manufacturers have lead times, and many remodeling companies have installation lead times, it’s important to order now. This will ensure homeowners get their windows installed before the end of the year and qualifyfor up to $1500 in tax credit.

Here is a link that shows the some of the draft language of the proposed bill, http://bit.ly/cKpfOH.

The recently implemented lead remediation rules are a fact of life for the entire remodeling industry. All remodeling contractors must be trained and certified in lead safe practices and incorporate them on any renovation jobs performed on homes built prior to 1978. It is of great importance that homeowners understand the risks and actions that need to be taken if they own a home constructed prior to 1978.

The EPA has made this week the National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. There is some great information on lead and its detrimental effect on children at this web site http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/lppw2010.htm. I urge all homeowners to go here to learn more about lead poisoning and its effects, especially on children.

Even though we are urging the EPA to reinstate the Opt out clause that was eliminated earlier this year, the lead safe practices are in effect at this time for all homes constructed prior to 1978.

We all hear about how various household items being marketed – from refrigerators to windows – are “ENERGY STAR qualified.” Ever wondered what that really means? I’m currently in the market for a new refrigerator, and the only thing I’m concerned about regarding Energy Star is whether or not the appliance has the Energy Star label. It either has it or it doesn’t.

Windows and doors are very unique when it comes to Energy Star. Like other items, they do have to be tested and must meet certain performance criteria to carry the Energy Star label. However, the testing is very different than that done on other items. The tests for windows and doors take into account the entire window or door—such as the window “style” (single-hung, double-hung, sliding, picture, casement or awning), the material the frame is constructed of (vinyl, aluminum, wood, etc.), and –most importantly -- the type of glass used. Double or triple-pane. The Low-E coatings used on the glass and their effectiveness. Whether or not the window has inert gas between the glass panes – and if so – the type of gas. Even the options selected for windows and doors affect their performance – and therefore, their ability to meet Energy Star requirements for labeling.

It gets even more interesting – especially in comparison to Energy Star requirements and ratings for other products – when you realize that windows and doors can qualify for the Energy Star label in one or more zones of the country – but not in others. There are actually four climate zones, and windows can qualify in numerous combinations of one, two, three or four zones. So when purchasing windows, for example, consumers need to determine whether the windows they’re considering are Energy Star qualified for the region they live in.

Now, back to buying that refrigerator.

Window and Door Product Testing

As with practically everything else that we purchase, there are testing requirements for windows and doors. When a new product is developed for the various areas of the country—once the design is complete and looks good ‘on paper’—the window or door is subjected to rigorous testing requirements. Here’s a short list of what is covered:

1. Ease of operation
2. Air infiltration testing
3. Water performance testing
4. Structural testing
5. Structural overload testing
6. Forced entry testing
7. NFRC (U-value, Solar Heat Gain, etc.)

Many other tests are performed, but the ones mentioned are the ones that most consumers are concerned with.

During testing, small changes might need to be made get optimum performance of the product. Once the product has passed all requirements set forth in the testing specification, it is assigned a design pressure (DP) rating at a given size. If modifications were made during the tests, these revisions are made to the product. All this is done prior to going to market.

If you’re in the market for new windows, you may find it to be a daunting task. First select the framing material that you prefer to narrow your search. Concentrate your efforts into air infiltration, NFRC data of the product, and the design pressure required for your geographical location. But above all— and this is very important – choose a good, reputable installer. Without a good installation, all of the testing mentioned above is for naught.

There are many situations where a homeowner wants to improve the performance or the appearance of their home, but decides not to replace their existing windows with state of the art, high performance replacement windows. This may be for aesthetic reasons; they love the look of their existing windows, the color, the moldings and trims, etc. It may be that they are concerned about the new lead paint requirements and don’t want to put up with that aggravation. Or it may be because the cost of new high performance replacement windows is just out of reach right now.

Regardless of the reason, high performance storm windows offer a viable alternative to full window replacement. A high performance storm window is mounted to the exterior of your existing prime window, all the work is on the outside of your home. It can even incorporate a hard surfaced low emissivity coating on the glass to improve both the energy efficiency (U Factor) and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). No, they will not do as much for energy savings as a top quality high performance glass replacement window, but they will significantly improve the performance of existing prime windows that do not currently have a high performance glass option. They also give a new, clean look to the exterior of your home and make your home more comfortable to live in.

So if for whatever reason you’ve decided not to upgrade your home at this time by replacing the existing prime windows with state of the art new windows, consider adding Low E storm windows to at least your most energy-wasting windows. See the chart below for estimated levels of improvement depending on the type of prime window you currently have.

Percentage Improvement in U Factors and Solar Heat Gain Coefficients by Adding a Hard Coat Low E storm window to an existing prime window*:

1. Wood Prime Window with single glass: U Factor — 20%, SHGC — 12%

2. Wood Prime Window with double-pane glass: U Factor — 16%, SHGC — 12%

3. Wood Prime Window with double-pane glass w/Low E: U Factor — 15%, SHGC — 7%

4. Aluminum Prime Window with single glass: U Factor — 12%, SHGC — 12%

5. Aluminum Prime Window with double-pane glass: U Factor — 9%, SHGC — 12%

6. Aluminum Prime Window with double-pane glass w/Low E : U Factor — 8%, SHGC — 7%

7. Vinyl Prime Window with single glass: U Factor — 21%, SHGC — 12%

8. Vinyl Prime Window with double-pane glass: U Factor — 16%, SHGC — 12%

9. Vinyl Prime Window with double-pane glass w/Low E : U Factor — 15%, SHGC — 7% * Storm window analysis based on Industry Test Laboratory Computer Simulation.

I was recently asked by a homeowner on our website how we compare to one of the big new construction oriented window manufacturers, Andersen Windows, and here is my response.

“In reality, we do not consider Andersen our competitor as they are primarily in the new construction window business and we are very much concentrated on replacement windows." This person also had a concern of dealing with an independent contractor versus ‘directly’ with a large company like them. "As far as the independent contractor concern, it really is the same as when you deal with Renewal by Andersen, the only difference is that they franchise independent contractors, locking them into contracts with extensive marketing requirements, some of these contractors find the grass really wasn't greener, and leave the franchise when the contract runs out. We have no contracts and no restrictions on our group of professional window dealers. We deal with them and they us because they want to do business with us. We strive to select the best dealer - ethical, responsible, and professional - in each market area we serve. With literally thousands of window manufacturers in the U.S., dealers have a wide choice of suppliers.

As far as the big companies, Andersen is gigantic - more than ten times our size, they were well over a billion dollars in sales annually (not sure what the housing collapse has done to them), as are a few other manufacturers like JeldWen, Pella, with Marvin approaching that number, all of these companies are really focused on new construction. They all venture into the retrofit arena when housing starts are in the bucket, but will refocus on new construction when the economy comes back.

As far as the products, replacement windows are normally better products than new construction products because most people looking to buy new homes don't look at the windows when making their decisions, they look through them, so builders traditionally use the least expensive products they can find. People only start looking at windows when they have problems with them, then they look for features and options. We are a replacement window manufacturer; Andersen is a new construction window manufacturer who has a replacement window division. I've been in the replacement window business since I was a teenager working summers for my father's company, starting when the replacement window industry began back in the middle 1960's. The first commercially available replacement window made in the United States was made in the building we now occupy. Andersen started making replacement windows a few years ago when they found that it was actually a bigger market than new construction, it's just very fragmented with many small manufacturers, some say over 10,000 of them.

Now as far as our products specifically, we use all vinyl, which I believe to be the best framing material for windows. It is easily formed into complex shapes, it is impervious to moisture, it is stain resistant, and it is a good thermal barrier. I've made windows framed in aluminum, wood, fiberglass and vinyl, and vinyl is head and shoulders the best material to make windows out of as it is impervious to nature, and windows are what keep Mother Nature from entering your home. Wood swells, shrinks and rots and needs regular maintenance. Aluminum is cold but structurally sound and good for giant commercial type windows. Fiberglass is just what its name infers; a material whose strength comes from glass fibers, and glass is not a good thermally protective material. All of these other materials need an applied finish of some kind to protect them and to make them aesthetically acceptable. None of these other materials can be welded for completely sealed corners, protecting your home from moisture infiltration into your walls. We offer more color options, more wood grains, many more glass options from basic to the best energy performance available. We furnish better view screening material at no extra charge. We offer virtually any color exterior you would like.

We have multiple models of products to fit every budget and every application. We offer hurricane resistant products and security products for your home. We have two different sliding patio doors and a hinged patio door, all available with lots of options. We offer ventilating latches as standard with state of the art locking mechanisms. All of our products are of our design, created specifically for replacement applications. We make our products custom to your home, every 1/8" in width and in height for a perfect fit. We have the best bow and bay window systems on the market and can also offer you garden windows or shaped window, circles, octagons and such. We are a replacement window manufacturer, that is our only focus.

We are the only window manufacturer partnering with the National Crime Prevention Council because of our home security window products. We are the winner, like Andersen is for only the last two years, of the national Energy Star Partner of the Year award, but we've won it every year since 2004. We are Green Seal certified, as is Andersen. And to summarize, I believe that we care more about our customers.” Wayne Gorell CEO

What causes condensation on windows and doors?

ALL windows, even the most energy-efficient, will experience condensation if the conditions are just right. For instance, if the indoor air has enough moisture, and if the window glass is cool enough (which depends on the outdoor temperature and the makeup and quality of the window). Some experts suggest this problem is seasonal. They may be correct. It’s not uncommon for windows to condensate during the change-of-season from summer to winter. As we keep our windows and doors closed due to the dropping temperatures outdoors, we are trapping all the moisture that the house has retained during the warmer seasons. It really is entirely possible that this problem will correct itself as the air becomes drier and winter sets in. But if you could lower your indoor relative humidity to 30%-35%, that would really help as well.

Try these tips to lower humidity in your home:

1. Turn down or stop using humidifiers.
2. Use range and bathroom exhaust fans while cooking and bathing, or open a window for a few minutes to bring in cool, dry air.
3. Cook with pans covered. (This also saves on utility bills.)
4. Take shorter showers with cooler water.
5. Vent clothes dryers to the outside.
6. In tightly insulated homes, consider installing an air-to-air heat exchanger.
7. In summer, use a dehumidifier.

Please visit the Understanding Condensation section of our site to learn more.

There’s a new energy tax credit being debated in Congress. Based on what I’m reading, you may want to act this year if you are thinking about replacing windows.

The initial language of the bill says homeowners would get 10%—or up to a $200 (capped)—tax rebate if you purchase windows that are Energy Star qualified. There is a second way to increase your rebate. If you purchase replacement windows that meet or exceed the R-5 program, you can get up to 30% or up to $1000 (capped). Click here to see the Energy Star / R-5 chart.

The current expiring tax credit allows you a 30% tax credit up to $1,500 for this year. For homeowners to qualify for this tax credit, you must purchase windows with a .30 U-value and a .30 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). Most Energy Star labeled windows fall into this category, but you need to make sure this is what you’re purchasing.

Also, with the Energy Tax Credit that is expiring at the end of this year, it’s important to note that—to get the rebate—the windows must be installed or be “in service” by December 31, 2010. Because many manufacturers have lead times, and many remodeling companies have installation lead times, it’s important to order now. This will ensure you getting your windows installed before the end of the year and qualifying yourself for up to $1,500 in tax credits.

To see the draft language of the proposed bill, visit click here.

More than 25 years ago, the National Crime Prevention Council—and McGruff the Crime Dog—designated October Crime Prevention Month. That makes this a good time to think about the safety and security of our homes, our schools and our communities.

We all worry about how safe our families—and our possessions—are. We all wonder, at least occasionally, whether an intruder could possibly get into our homes. When it comes to home invasion, most burglars get in through windows and doors. So what can be done to keep homes more secure against break-ins? There are common-sense things you should do—like keep your windows and doors locked, and remove shrubs and trees from in front of your windows so possible intruders don’t have any hiding spots. But, depending on the home, maybe more drastic measures should be considered—like replacing old, un-secure windows or doors with newer, laminated glass models.

More ideas for making homes more intruder-resistant can be found on NCPC’s web site at http://www.ncpc.org/topics/home-and-neighborhood-safety . Or see Gorell’s “10 Window & Door Security Tips” at http://www.gorell.com/pages/gorell_mcgruff.htm .

Hurricane windows. Impact products. Dade County-approved windows. You’ve probably heard at least some of these terms, especially if you live in an area where violent weather is the norm. But what is a hurricane product, really? And how can windows become considered “impact windows”? Perhaps this brief explanation will help you make a more informed decision if you’re researching impact protection.

First, you have to realize that for windows to be considered hurricane or impact products, they need to be impact tested. This testing determines if the windows and laminated glass used in them can withstand violent weather. Laminated glass will crack and shatter, yes, but nothing should ever actually get through the glass and into your home. It’s not easy to have windows pass impact testing. It’s a long, difficult process.

“Standard” window impact testing means that a window with clear, double-pane glass is tested for air, water and structural requirements (per AAMA standards). Three other units— ones with laminated glass—are tested with hits at different places on the window from a single missile (which is actually an eight-foot 2 x 4 weighing about nine pounds) traveling at about 35 mph. Every window tested for impact is also tested with various cyclic wind pressures, both inward and outward (9,000 total cycles). After all this—assuming a window passes—it’s considered Level “D” hurricane protection. That means it’s approved for use in homes up to a mile inland from the coast.

So if that’s “standard” hurricane impact window testing…what’s special about “Dade County” hurricane protection products? The difference is this: the Dade unit that’s tested for air, water and structural requirements is also made with laminated glass—and is subjected to longer sustained wind load testing. Plus, instead of being hit just once, the three laminated impact windows are “impacted” two to three times in several places. When—and if—a product can achieve Dade County approval, it can be used pretty much anywhere, even right on the coast and in Miami-Dade County, FL.