I read a really interesting article last week titled, “Energy Efficiency Hits from the Doors (and Windows).” The name might sound a bit silly, but it talks about how you can actually feel—and hear!—the difference when you replace leaky old windows and doors with newer, ENERGY STAR qualified models. Comfort, lower energy bills, no drafts or rattling window panes—all benefits that I think many homeowners with old homes would appreciate!

The article also provides an important reminder—consumers can still take advantage of federal tax credits for windows and doors for just a few more weeks. That could save you even more money! However, homeowners who want tax credit benefits must move quickly—because the federal tax credits expire on Dec. 31.

To read this entire blog article, visit http://www.eereblogs.energy.gov/energysavers/post/Energy-Efficiency-Hits-from-the-Doors-(and-Windows).aspx.

October ended yesterday, and Energy Awareness Month officially came to a close, so I thought I’d write a blog to wrap up this very important time of year. Obviously, we all need to be cognizant of our energy usage year-round. But I think this fact really hits home this time of year.

Many of us here in the Northeast got our first taste of winter—in the form of a major snowstorm—this Halloween weekend. And that makes us realize more than ever that NOW is the time to evaluate the energy efficiency of our homes.

Major improvements like new energy-efficient windows, better insulation, and new appliances can significantly impact our home energy bills. And I encourage everyone to undertake these very necessary projects at their first opportunity. Shop smart by looking for the ENERGY STAR label on new purchases.

And for those who can’t undertake a large project right now, there are still many small ways to save a bit of energy in your homes. Turning off lights, replacing furnace filters, installing a water heater blanket—these small, inexpensive improvements can make a real difference to your home energy usage as well.

So, as a wrap up to Energy Awareness Month, please check out the Department of Energy’s “Home Energy Checklist” (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/services/energy_aware_hec.html) to get some ideas on how you can save energy—and money!

Consumers still have a couple of months to qualify for tax credits for making their homes more energy efficient. Here is a quick recap of the 2011 tax credits available for windows, doors and insulation.

Consumers can qualify for a tax credit up to 10% of the cost of qualified replacement windows (new-construction products are not applicable), or a maximum of $200, or up to 10% or a maximum of $500 of the cost of qualified doors. This new tax credit applies to ENERGY STAR labeled windows and doors. Certain types of insulation—such as Radiaflect reflective insulation products—also qualify for a tax credit of up to $500 or 10% of the cost of the project. Products must be installed between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 to qualify for tax credits.

There is one slight “catch” however. Consumers are limited to a lifetime maximum tax credit of $500 for any combination of tax credit qualifying products (windows, doors, insulation, HVAC, roofing, etc) from Jan 1, 2006, to Dec. 31, 2011. That means that consumers who have already reached or exceeded the $500 limit are not eligible to claim the credit in 2011. More information on the tax credits can be found at http://www.gorell.com/taxcredits/.

Consumers who are considering making their homes more energy efficient may want to move quickly to get their home improvements completed before the end of the year. After all, who is going to turn down several hundred dollars of “free money” – plus even more savings as a result of a more efficient home!

I came across a useful article on-line this morning – “The Heat is On – But Energy Efficiency Can Curb Summer Energy Bills.” The article offered energy-efficiency tips in three different areas -- Keeping Your Cool, Keeping the Heat Outside and Clever in the Kitchen.

Two of the tips, in particular, caught my attention, because they focused on advice that I – and other contributors -- often give on this blog. Those two very important tips were:

“Consider investing in energy-efficient windows to save money and increase indoor comfort.” It’s true -- the combination of highly insulating frame materials and a wide variety of Low-E glass options make replacement windows one of the best ways to increase the thermal efficieny of homes—and DECREASE energy bills!

“Plug energy leaks with weather stripping and caulking, and be sure your house is properly insulated, to save up to 20% on energy bills.” That’s a pretty significant savings – 20% -- more than enough reason to re-evaluate your home’s insulation. And summer is the perfect time to consider installing reflective insulation in attics to help cut energy costs and keep these spaces more comfortable.

To read the complete article, and learn more energy-saving tips, visit http://www.ase.org/news/heat-%E2%80%93-energy-efficiency-can-curb-summer-energy-bills.

I came across an interesting article online this morning -- the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority providing a number of tips to help families stop wasting energy and start saving money. That's important to all of us -- myself included -- so it caught my attention. The article included tips on everything from lighting to washers and dryers to water heating and usage -- some really good tips that I'd never considered.

Two items, in particular, caught my eye: First, "Heating and cooling accounts for 60 percent of your home’s energy use. To insure that your heating and cooling methods make the grade, examine how well your home is insulated." A great reminder of how important insulation is -- and how much money it can save on home energy costs. Summer is the perfect time to consider installing reflective insulation in attics to help cut energy costs and keep these spaces more comfortable.

The second tip I noticed was, "Use caulking and weather stripping to seal energy leaks around windows and doors, which could help you save up to 10 percent on your energy bill." So, if that's the case ... imagine how much savings could result from installing brand-new, much-more-efficient replacement windows!

This article just reinforced several of the points we often make on this blog, so I thought I'd share it. To read the complete article, and learn more energy-saving tips, visit http://www.wbng.com/news/state/NYSERDA-Offers-Energy-Efficiency-Tips-for-Homeowners-125567243.html.

Many homeowners consider insulating their homes a chore that should be done to prepare for colder weather, not during the summer months. But, according to the ENERGY STAR web site, insulation keeps homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When correctly installed, insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills during both the hottest and coldest times of the year. So right now, with the scorching summer heat affecting much of the country, is actually the perfect time to install insulation.

To get the biggest savings, the easiest place to add insulation is usually in the attic, states the ENERGY STAR web site. Attics can get unbearably hot during the summer months which, in turn, affects the rooms in the home below and causes air conditioning units to run more. Installing reflective insulation in attics is an excellent way to prevent heat buildup—and the resulting increase in cooling costs—from occurring. To learn more about the benefits of reflective insulation, visit www.radiaflect.com.

Our interest in saving energy is always increasing. So to address that, in 2010, the Department of Energy (“DOE”) introduced its High-Performance Volume Purchase Program to promote and encourage the sales of very high-performing, energy-efficient windows to both residential and commercial window buyers. This program has been expanded in 2011 to include much more information, vendors and choices for the window-buying public. The web site to go to for information on this program is http://www.windowsvolumepurchase.org. The following article (from http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/14/idUS118462289620110614) also has some very good information on this program.

DOE Makes Buying Insulated Windows a Breeze

By Matt Smith

Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:19am EDT

One of the easiest ways to conserve energy is to prevent heat lose through the use of heavily insulated windows, which the U.S. Department of Energy has just made easier for many businesses, schools, universities, architects, builders and large communities. In May, the Department of Energy expanded its High Performance Windows Volume Purchase Program. The expansions in the program make it easier for both residential and commercial buildings to find the appropriate high performance insulated windows, vendors and prices on the program's expanded website in order to save both money and energy.

Buyers can search through over 30 vendors who have met the requirements of the program for their specific window needs, as long as they meet the requirement of needing at least 20 windows.

"The high performance windows and low-E storm windows in the program can offer significant energy efficiency at attractive prices that make them cost effective in heating-dominate climate zones," said Graham Parker, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory senior staff engineer who manages the program for DOE's Building Technologies Program. The high performance windows also qualify for federal and utility incentives and rebates being offered across the country, he said in a press release. In addition, the DOE has expanded the program to offer commercial windows that also are high performance.

Double-pane, low-E, R-3 windows have typically been considered the standard for energy efficiency for residential construction in the last decade or so, but recent studies have shown that highly insulating, primarily triple-pane, windows reduce average heat loss through the window by more than 30 percent when compared to R-3 windows in residential buildings situated in heating-dominated climate zones. In situations where full window replacement is not an option, low-E storm windows can be installed over current windows to reduce heat loads by up to 20 percent, according to a DOE press release.

The program's website is filled with information about the advantages of insulated windows, including the amount of energy and money they can save depending upon what type of climate the building is in, what builders and residents need to know about ordering and installing these windows and the advantages of buying in bulk, and which type of windows are right for which type of building or budget. The website is also full of examples of buildings that have made the switch to insulated windows, such as the Cambria Office Facility in Pennsylvania and the Wisdom Way Solar Village in Massachusetts, and how this switch has benefited them.

(Reprinted with permission from Green Building Elements)

Most homeowners know that one of the biggest benefits of replacing older, less-efficient windows with newer, high-performance models is energy savings. Today’s replacement windows are much more technologically advanced, and they’re better at reducing home energy usage and improving the comfort of homes.

However, many homeowners believe these energy savings occur primarily during the winter months—when new windows prevent furnaces from running so much. While it’s true that replacement windows can help lower energy bills in cold weather, energy-efficient windows are just as important during the summer months.

Surprised? It’s really very simple: The Low-E coatings that keep warm air inside during winter months also work in reverse—they reflect outside heat away from windows in warm weather. This keeps the inside of homes cooler and results in air conditioning units running much less. Voila—summer energy savings!

When considering new replacement windows, homeowners should ask to see the NFRC ratings for each model they’re considering. Depending upon what area of the country a home is located in, a window’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) ratings can be important to consider. SHGC is pretty relevant to areas where warm weather prevails, because this value measures the heat from solar radiation that enters a building. A window with a good SHGC rating can really help reflect that outside heat away from homes and lower air conditioner usage and overall home energy bills.

Replacement windows are a good value ANY time of year, and ANY place in the country. Windows with Low-E coatings are designed to improve home comfort and reduce energy usage—no matter what the weather is like outside!

The national average price for gas is hovering right around $4/gallon, and it went up for 40 straight days! We certainly get an eye-opening experience when we fill our tanks up with gas. And some interesting, but probably not surprising, trends have developed.

First, smaller and more fuel-efficient automobiles are selling faster and better than they ever have. Chevrolet’s Cruze was one of the most popular automobiles sold in the month of April, and Ford’s Focus sales were up 22%.

What does this mean? It means we as a country are adjusting to the rising fuel costs and, for the most part, we are expecting these fuel prices to keep increasing. It also means that homeowners have to take the lead in helping manage these rising fuel prices.

Every one of us, as homeowners, need to think about energy conservation. Many of us think we can’t afford replacement windows or reflective insulation, But having new energy-efficient windows or reflective insulation installed is similar to purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle.

We all know fuel prices (in the very best near-term scenario) are just going to level out. To continue letting energy pour out of our homes can be compared to driving a vehicle that gets six miles/gallon. Some people can do it, but the majority of us just can’t.

So when we are struggling with the decision to upgrade the energy efficiency of our homes, realize that it isn’t just about investing in the value of our homes anymore. It’s also about making homes conserve energy—and two of the most proven ways to conserve energy are by upgrading to high-performance windows and reflective insulation.

Each year, Earth Day (April 22) marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. According to the Earth Day web site, “The idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-Vietnam war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda.”

His efforts paid off and, on the 22nd of April, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. That first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

In 1990, Earth Day went global – bringing environmental issues to the forefront in 141 countries. Over the last 40 years, the Earth Day organization has executed successful environmental campaigns on issues ranging climate change and drinking water to voter registration and saving the whale.

Today, the Earth Day programs focus on greening schools and promoting environmental education, accelerating the global green economy, and the “A Billion Acts of Green®” program—which is the theme for Earth Day 2011. A Billion Acts of Green inspires and rewards simple individual acts and larger organizational initiatives that further the goal of measurably reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainability. The goal is to register one billion actions in advance of the global Earth Summit in Rio in 2012.

The environment is something everyone should think about—it’s vital to our lives in so many ways. And most people know about the “standard” environmental issues that receive much publicity—such as recycling, planting trees, etc. What many individuals might not know is that making home improvements can also be good for the environment. For instance, replacing older, less efficient windows with new, high-performance windows can save a significant amount of energy. Insulating homes more effectively can also save energy. And both of these energy-efficient home improvements positively impacts the environment! It’s something to consider this Friday, April 22, as we celebrate the 41st annual Earth Day—there are ways everyone can help protect the environment—and some of them even have a positive impact on home energy costs as well.

For more information on Earth Day and the “A Billion Acts of Green” program, visit www.earthday.org.

I have been speaking with some new friends that completed a home energy audit. Because I am in a related energy efficient business, it was an easy ‘ice breaker’ topic for them to bring up.

I asked when they did their home energy audit. They explained that it had been about six or seven months prior. I was a little surprised that they had not taken any action with any of the items in the audit. In any event, we started discussing the things the audit recommended.

One of the easy audit recommendations was to caulk and reseal all the openings in their house. This could include the attic, around the garage, windows, doors, and even vents. This is a quick and simple thing to do, but when the energy audit company completed their analysis, there was no next step. As a result, they did nothing.

As I discussed with my new friends, you know all the things that need to be done to make your home more energy efficient, but you weren’t given any idea on what to do next. I gave them a few ideas. First, although caulking and resealing is an easy and inexpensive thing to do, it also needs to be done on an annual basis. Most people forget to maintain it. As a result, if this is the sole focus for making your home more energy efficient, it will be a losing proposition.

One item that does show up on the energy audit is windows and doors. And although there is more investment involved here, provided you select the right window, it should be more of a permanent solution. And many times, if you ask the energy audit company who they would recommend to do the work, they will not only give you the name of a trusted home improvement company, they have probably negotiated discounts for you as well.

So, if you are getting ready to do that energy audit, be prepared to do a few things. See if the energy audit company has qualified and pre-screened home improvement companies you can work with to implement parts of the energy audit. Also, in your mind, establish an ‘energy efficient’ budget for your home. This allows you to make some decisions on what parts of the energy audit you want to tackle first. And it will also help you follow through on your plan to make your home more energy efficient.

The Energy Efficiency Lab Home in Pittsburgh – managed by IBACOS and S&A Homes and involving more than 40 local trade contractors and suppliers – has now moved into its research phase. The home was officially opened in November. All entities involved are now working together to find the solutions that will make high quality, very low energy homes affordable to build, own and maintain.

Because heating accounts for nearly 50% of a typical home's energy use in a northern climate, it’s naturally a real focus of the project. The big question being asked is, “will the conditioned air being paid for stay in the house?" In addition to heating, there’s great interest in seeing how the home performs overall. In the enclosure, the organization will be looking at moisture levels within the walls and the concrete slab, surface temperatures on walls and windows, and condensation levels on windows and doors. In terms of windows, provided by Gorell, IBACOS is interested in seeing whether the temperature and high humidity will pose a risk for condensation. So the Lab Home is riddled with more than 300 sensors measuring things like energy use, moisture, temperature, air flow, and heat flux. Over the next three years, IBACOS will monitor energy efficiency, as well as durability and comfort within the house. Before these types of houses go mainstream, this monitoring will help determine if adjustments need to be made in the design to ensure it is not only energy independent, but also maximizes comfort and durability for the homeowner.

Although new legislation has reduced the amount of the tax credit and changed the qualifying criteria, consumers are still eligible for tax credits for making their homes more energy efficient in 2011. Here is a quick recap of the 2011 federal tax credits available for windows and doors:

The new 2011 legislation provides a consumer tax credit up to $200 for 10% of the cost of qualified replacement windows, (new-construction products are not applicable), or up to $500 for 10% of the cost of qualified doors. This new tax credit applies to ENERGY STAR labeled windows and doors installed between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011.

There is one slight “catch” however. Consumers are limited to a lifetime maximum tax credit of $500 for any combination of tax credit qualifying products (windows, doors, insulation, HVAC, roofing, etc) from Jan 1, 2006, to Dec. 31, 2011. That means that consumers who have already reached or exceeded the $500 limit are not eligible to claim the credit in 2011.

Although this credit is much reduced, it’s still “free money” for those who are considering purchasing windows or doors and have not taken advantage of the previous tax credits.

An interesting report out of Harvard University recently indicates that the remodeling industry should see better times presently. That’s more good news for the country, the home remodeling industry and for consumers. With factors such as rising prices of existing houses and more homeowners staying in their homes instead of moving, it makes sense that people will need and want to make improvements to their homes. Another major factor, very possibly spurred by the recent energy tax credit programs, appears to be increased consumer interest in environmental and energy-saying improvements. The payback and money-saving benefits of improvements such as replacing old windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows cannot to be overlooked.

For more on the report, see the January 13 article on Qualified Remodeler’s web site -- http://www.qualifiedremodeler.com/web/online/Industry-News/US-Remodeling-Industry-Poised-for-Growth/38$2410

As most window industry professionals know, attempts to extend the 2010 $1,500 Tax Credit on energy–efficient windows, doors, insulation and other home-improvements did not succeed. The legislation passed by Congress and signed by the president last week does include a tax credit, but only up to $200 for ENERGY STAR qualified windows and skylights and up to $500 for ENERGY STAR qualified doors for 2011. This is a far cry from the expiring $1,500 tax credit that is such a good thing in so many ways for consumers and the country. The fight for higher tax credits for replacement windows and doors isn’t over, however. Remodeling and window industry groups are continuing to press for new incentives in 2011. Rich Walker of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) sums up the situation nicely:

"Homeowners who are currently caught in the crossfire of depreciated home values and a lagging economy will be unable to make these important energy-saving purchases without the assistance of any substantive incentive …” To be sure, consumers have other things on their minds at this time of the year, but we all need to be on board with continuing efforts for new tax credit legislation in 2011. Anyone interested in voicing an opinion about re-establishing a stronger tax credit for retrofit windows and doors should contact their federal legislators.

An easy way to begin the process of contacting representatives in Washington is to visit www.house.gov and enter your zip code in the “Find Your Representative” search form in the upper left corner of the page, or to visit www.senate.gov and select your state from the drop-down menu in the upper right corner of the page.

There’s an excellent article – called “Energy Wasters in Your Home” – that just appeared on Yahoo Finance on the Internet the other day. It was written by ENERGY STAR spokesperson Maria Vargas, who provides some very interesting data as well as excellent tips on how to reduce household energy consumption. She states that the average American household spends $2,200 on energy. That’s a lot of money!

Her good news, however, is that this amount can be cut by a third by doing some simple energy-saving things in the home. Like changing or cleaning furnace air filters, lowering the temperature on the water heater, using a programmable thermostat and switching to those new compact fluorescent light bulbs. There are a lot more tips in the article. Definitely worth taking a few minutes to read.

One thing the writer points out that many may find surprising is that heating and cooling costs typically account for 46% of a home’s electric bill. Heating and cooling are obviously areas that need to be addressed – and she does so in the article. The one thing she might have mentioned, however, is that one of the biggest “energy wasters” in the home happens to be inefficient windows. Nothing contributes more to that furnace running so often in cold weather than inefficient windows. The same goes for the AC running constantly in warm weather.

The $1,500 tax credit for purchasing highly efficient windows is about to end, but energy savings certainly won’t -- if homeowners take action and do something about their windows that are the cause for those high heating and cooling bills.

To see the article, “Energy Wasters in Your Home,” visit http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/111560/energy-wasters-in-your-home

As it’s now the last month for the government’s big tax credit program, many homeowners will find, unfortunately, that it may be too late to purchase windows and receive the $1,500 tax credit. The two-year program ends December 31. For one thing, it takes some time to learn enough about windows to make an informed buying decision about something of this magnitude. Among other things, this kind of decision determines how a home will look, how safe and secure it will be, how much maintenance will be required and how energy-efficient and comfortable the home will be.

Not that it’s impossible to get new replacement windows by the end of the month, but time is also needed to manufacture the windows (most replacement windows are custom made to fit the opening of the old window), have them shipped and then have them installed. Compounding the situation is the reality that manufactures are already overbooked and working around the clock in most cases to fill existing orders. Window dealers and contractors are overbooked with window installation jobs. Most are not accepting new projects for 2010 completion.

Something homeowners may want to consider in regard to the expiring tax credit program is that it also applies to other energy-saving improvements – like attic insulation. For example, the new rising star in energy efficiency, reflective insulation, can be purchased immediately (it’s already manufactured and ready to be shipped) and installed quickly and fairly easily. Not that there’s not skill and expertise involved in installing reflective attic insulation, but installing insulation doesn’t require the same level of skill as a window installation. So some dealers and contractors have workers on staff who are not window installers -- but are skilled in installing insulation properly.

Reflective attic insulation is highly effective. It can reduce home energy costs by as much as 30%. (There are some excellent videos that explain the benefits and anticipated energy cost savings homeowners can get from reflective insulation. To see them, start at http://www.radiaflect.com/ ) Moreover, reflective insulation can be placed over existing fiberglass insulation on attic floors, working in tandem with existing insulation to improve a home’s energy efficiency. It can also be installed on un-insulated attic rafters for impressive energy-saving results. For more on the tax credit program as it relates to reflective insulation, visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

Lots of homeowners have questions about the Energy Star program because, when they decide to research and purchase new or replacement windows or doors, they invariably run into terms like "ENERGY STAR labeled," "U-value" and "Solar Heat Gain." Who can blame consumers for being confused? A long-time proponent of the Energy Star program, Gorell undertook an interesting project to help consumers understand as much as possible about the Energy Star program. In a series of brief, easy-to-understand videos, Gorell's lead engineering manager addresses the most commonly asked questions as well as misunderstandings about the program. Now, these videos were not professionally shot in a studio, nor were they read from carefully prepared scripts. They are short, to the point and done simply, in an educational manner. The collection of 20 Energy Star videos can be most easily viewed on YouTube. Hopefully consumers will find them helpful, with so many answers about Energy Star in one place. To see them, click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erdl8occ4j4&playnext=1&list=PL0073BF1FD13191B1&index=1

Hats off to IBACOS and all the sponsors and participating companies that provided funding, products and services for the “Energy Efficiency Lab Home” built in the community of Ohio Township just outside of Pittsburgh. The home was officially opened by IBACOS with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 11, a beautiful, sunny day.

IBACOS is a research organization with one of its goals being to make homes actually self sufficient in terms of energy. Attending the opening of the lab home, I was somewhat skeptical of this lofty goal, but was truly amazed by the time I left.

The house utilizes some of America’s most energy-efficient building products and systems, including Gorell R-5 Energy Star qualified windows, geothermal heating, solar energy panels, state-of-the-art lighting and so much more. Some of what I observed represents new paradigms in home building. I’m not an engineer, but I always figured engineers knew what they were doing by placing heating and cooling ducts on outside walls of homes. Not in this house. Small, round plastic ducts have replaced the kind of metal vents we’re all familiar with – and they’re on the inside walls of the lab home.

There’s more. Instead of intermittent blasts of heat and cool air, the warm or cool air emitted from these ducts is pushed through constantly and gently, in low volume. You can barely feel the air moving and you can’t even hear the heating and cooling system.

I had asked about concerns for how “tight” this home is. I’ve heard that a home that’s too closed up can invite problems involving mold and mildew. These issues have also been addressed in building this home. The Lab Home features an air re-circulation system that cleans and re-circulates air in the house.

Another thing that’s impressive about the Lab Home is that it was designed to be a home that’s affordable to most Americans. It isn’t at this point, because of all the time, research and experimenting that was involved, but homes just like this one will be affordable – hopefully some day very soon. If you look at this Lab Home, you’ll see that it’s not unlike other modest, new homes in the plan.

If you would like to see or learn more about the Lab Home, visit this web site --http://www.theresearchalliance.org/111110-lab-home-ribbon-cutting.aspx

As Fall comes to a close and colder weather begins to invade northern states, many homeowners are rushing to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. While major improvements like installing a high-efficiency furnace or replacement windows will yield the highest savings, there are a number of smaller fixes homeowners can make that will help control monthly utility spending. Most of these small fixes can be made in a relatively short amount of time and are fairly inexpensive.

1. Inspect the exterior caulking around existing windows and doors for gaps and cracks, which will allow cold air to enter the home. Use a high-quality silicone caulk, which can be purchased at any local hardware store, to fill gaps and cracks.
2. Use expandable foam insulation to seal gaps around exterior vents and pipes to prevent cold air infiltration.
3. Add additional insulation to attics and exterior-facing walls to reduce heat loss. For easily accessible areas like attics, consider fiberglass or reflective insulation products; for un-insulated exterior walls, blown-in cellulose insulation can be used.
4. Furnaces should be inspected and cleaned to ensure they are running at optimal performance levels.
5. Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down toward the floor for greater comfort. When looking up at the fan, it should be moving in a clockwise direction.
6. Install heavier, wall-length curtains to reduce heat loss above and below windows when sunlight is not shining through them.
7. Place shrinkable plastic sheeting over the interiors of windows. While this is not the most attractive solution, it is fairly easy to do and relatively inexpensive.
8. Consider placing storm windows over the exterior of existing windows to reduce heat loss and prevent drafts.
9. Consider replacing existing windows a couple at a time to ease the expense associated with replacement, while benefiting from the return received from lower monthly energy bills.

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.

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.

I installed a vent in my attic in August. That was an experience – I should’ve taken a thermometer up with me. It was unbelievably hot up there. Now that we've got cooler, less humid weather in Pennsylvania, being up in the attic is a lot more bearable. It fact, now's a good time to check your attic to see what insulation is up there – colder weather and heating bills aren’t far off.

While you're up there, think about adding reflective insulation. It's a very different kind of insulation (compared to blown-in or batt fiberglass) because it significantly reduces radiant heat transfer (fiberglass insulation only reduces convective and conductive heat transfer). In cold weather, reflective insulation placed over fiberglass insulation on your attic floor reflects heat escaping through the ceiling back into your home. If you have reflective insulation installed on your rafters, it reflects heat back into the home instead of allowing the heat to escape through the roof. Of course, it's really effective to have reflective insulation installed on both the rafters and the attic floor. Every home's different, but it's not uncommon to reduce home heating bill costs by 20% - 25%.

In spring and summer, the results are unbelievable, especially when you have reflective insulation installed on the rafters. With attic temperatures 30-40 degrees lower, you can only imagine the load this takes off your air conditioner!

One more thing: you don't want to procrastinate on adding good reflective insulation to your attic. It qualifies for the $1,500 federal tax credit (see www.radiaflect.com for more info) this year. One catch – it needs to be installed, not just purchased, before January 1st.

Every consumer needs to be aware of the dramatic ability of some very special window products that can save you significant amounts of energy, while adding aesthetics, convenience and comfort to your home. The United States Department of Energy has created a program to promote very high-performance products for use by homeowners as well as commercial building owners. It is not well known, nor well publicized, but this is really a valuable program to the consumer. Here is a link that explains the details of the program: http://www.windowsvolumepurchase.org/ This R5 program goes well beyond the Energy Star performance requirements for really dramatic energy-saving results. It is designed to help you get the best-performing windows available today, at affordable prices. Gorell Windows & Doors is one of the select manufacturers approved by USDOE to participate in the R5 volume purchase window program. We at Gorell are constantly striving to improve on the already excellent energy savings performance we offer. We are looking for more products, more options and more ways to help you save energy and enjoy your home more.

We recently undertook a project at Gorell to determine the impact of energy-efficient windows and doors in terms of energy saved.  Having kept detailed records of all the windows and doors built—including the various high-performance glass systems used in each—since we began manufacturing in 1994, we were able to compute the approximate number of BTUs our products have saved.

Next we went to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) for help in converting our data into information consumers could more easily relate to. We were directed to IUP professor Dr. Keith Kyler, who worked with one of his chemistry classes to calculate formulas to convert the BTUs being saved by Gorell products to relevant consumer measures.

We were astounded by the results and, now knowing the savings, were able to create a counter on our web site that continually shows the approximate amount of energy, money and gallons of gas being saved.

Special thanks to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and especially to Dr. Kyler of IUP’s Chemistry Department and his chemistry class.  The energy savings counter was just placed on Gorell’s home page this past weekend. To see it, visit http://www.gorell.com

If you’re planning to purchase windows—or appliances, lighting, computers, or many other products—you’ve probably heard the term "ENERGY STAR" being tossed around. You may have been told that ENERGY STAR labeled products are more energy efficient and that they’ll help save you money on your home energy bills. But do you know what the ENERGY STAR program really is? Or what it means for a product to be ENERGY STAR qualified?

ENERGY STAR is a government/industry program designed to help consumers and businesses quickly and easily identify energy-efficient products that help save money and protect the environment for future generations. 

In 1992, the EPA introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify energy-efficient computers and monitors. Through 1995, EPA expanded the program to include additional office equipment, as well as residential heating and cooling products. In 1996, EPA partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy for specific product categories. It’s pretty amazing that the ENERGY STAR label is now displayed on over 40 product categories—everything from major appliances to office equipment, home lighting, home electronics, windows and more. 

As for windows and doors, that specific ENERGY STAR program was created in 1999.  Not all windows qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. They first must be tested by an independent laboratory to meet strict criteria pertaining to energy efficiency and light transmittance. The ratings they achieve differ because of variables such as the glass used, style, and product design and construction. 

The benefits? ENERGY STAR labeled windows help reduce energy costs, increase a home’s comfort, and protect against UV damage. Plus, they’re better for the environment—because they reduce green house gas emissions—and for the country because they reduce the America’s dependency on foreign oil. More information on the program is available at www.energystar.gov

I wonder how many people think about replacing patio doors in their homes. I remember several years back when we had to replace our wooden patio door -- which would have been around 10 years old at the time -- because the frame was rotted through at the bottom. I know other people who replaced their metal patio doors because the metal had corroded over time and the doors looked pretty bad.  But there's another reason -- maybe a much more important one -- for replacing those doors: energy efficiency.  

Think about the amount of glass in a patio door that's exposed to the outside. How many of us are familiar with the cold coming off that glass in the winter -- or the heat off the glass in the heat of the summer?

At this point in time, with the advances made in glass technology, it's possible to have a patio door that's so much more energy-efficient than doors made just 10 or 15 years ago. By "technology," I mean things like higher-performing low emissivity coatings in the glass, much more-effective spacer systems separating the glass panes, the use of inert gasses between the glass and even the evolution of triple-glass instead of double-pane glass.

Think also about the other materials that go into doors. Vinyl, especially, has proven to be a superb energy-efficient material -- and advances in vinyl technology have also been huge.  Today a good, quality patio door made with vinyl can easily last decades -- and operate beautifully -- with practically no maintenance.  

The results of having a solid, highly energy-efficient patio door installed are numerous. Significantly lower home energy bills for one, but also a more comfortable room and ease of operating the door.

Hopefully homeowners are also remembering that the $1,500 tax credit that's available for replacement windows also applies to doors.  These last months of 2010 are an ideal time to look at a new door. 

The Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC) provides excellent information about utility and state programs homeowners can access to either save or get money back on home improvement projects that result in more energy-efficient homes. The EWC's latest report, "Incentives and Rebates for Energy-Efficient Windows," was published in July. A PDF of the report can be found at http://www.efficientwindows.org/UtilityIncentivesWindows.pdf. In the report's introduction, the EWC poses three questions that set the stage for helping homeowners locate programs in their states.

1. Do you intend to equip your home with high-performance, energy-efficient windows?

2. Do you plan to improve your home in a way that lowers energy costs and provides for a comfortable interior?

3. Are you looking for utility programs within your state that can help you finance such an investment in efficient windows?

According to Nils Petermann of the EWC, The Efficient Windows Collaborative is actually a project operated by non-profit and research organizations such as the Alliance to Save Energy, the University of Minnesota and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. It's supported by member organizations the Department of Energy. Hats off to the Efficient Windows Collaborative for providing their excellent work and for this special report.

In addition to qualifying replacement windows and doors, some reflective insulation products also qualify for the $1,500 federal tax credit program that ends this year. Most homeowners don’t even think about the effectiveness of insulation in their attics for a number of reasons. One is that most people just don’t think about their attics since they’re rarely “up there.” Out of sight, out of mind. Another is that consumers don’t realize there’s anything they can do other than replace all their attic insulation, which can be costly.

Yet, in reality, it's not unusual that 45% of a home's wasted — or lost — energy is through the attic, mostly through radiant transfer. Ordinary fiberglass insulation does little to stop radiant transfer. A good quality reflective insulation, however, can cut radiant transfer by as much as 97%. And this kind of insulation can actually be used in tandem with existing standard insulation. It goes up easily and quickly — and isn't expensive. Reflective insulation is definitely worth looking into. A good web site to learn more about how reflective insulation works and why it's worth considering is http://www.radiaflect.com

Can what’s implied with a “Zero Energy” home actually be achieved? The Zero Energy Lab Home program run by the Best Practices Research Alliance in Pittsburgh is doing the research to find out. The Alliance is in the midst of a multi-year research initiative to design and construct homes that use only the energy they tap on-site from natural sources.

Construction of a Zero Energy home – to be evaluated in “cold-climate conditions” – was begun in March near Pittsburgh and now is only months from completion. Then, the research component begins as the Alliance teams simulate habitation in the uninhabited house over a three-year period. Criteria include performance, ease of construction and cost effectiveness.

This is truly an exciting project, as it speaks to the future of energy, our country and even the world – and we salute all those organizations and companies involved in all aspects of the project. Gorell is proud to be an active participant in the project, as Gorell ENERGY STAR qualified windows were selected for the Zero Energy home. For more about the project, visit the Alliance’s web site -- http://www.theresearchalliance.org/pittsburgh-lab-home.aspx. The Best Practices Research Alliance is also providing photo updates of the construction on flickr. Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/labhomepittsburgh/ to see the home being built.

Many of us have heard about the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (or "Cash for Caulkers") program that was passed by the House of Representatives last month and is currently waiting to clear the Senate. It sounds as if this bill could be a win/win situation for homeowners and contractors--homeowners will get excellent rebates on "green" products which, in turn, should kick-start the construction industry and create jobs.

However, the bill itself is VERY comprehensive. There are 13 types of retrofit projects eligible for rebates, and each product has unique eligibility requirements and set rebate amounts--so it can be quite confusing for consumers. I recently read an excellent blog article that does a nice job of breaking down the eligible projects by type and giving a concise description of the requirements and rebates available for each. (http://tinyurl.com/2f3bhs8) Whether you’re a consumer or a contractor, this easy-to-understand chart will make it easier to clearly see what types of rebates the Home Star bill will provide.

And although I believe Home Star will be great--both for homeowners who want to make their homes "greener" and save money on energy costs, and for contractor still feeling the effects of the economic downturn--it’s important to remember that this bill could take weeks, or even months, to become a law. For homeowners who want to replace their windows or doors, add insulation, or make other energy-efficient improvements to their homes RIGHT NOW, there are still excellent federal tax credits available for 30% of the cost of qualified products--up to $1,500. For more information on the existing tax credits, visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index.

Replacement Windows are one of the best ways to lower your energy bills and significantly improve the comfort of your home. Another terrific product available is reflective insulation. Reflective insulation typically is Energy Star rated and qualifies for the tax credit.

Reflective insulation can be installed in the rafters of your attic to stop the heat from coming in on those hot summer days. This will reduce the amount of stress put on your air conditioning unit, and it will lower your energy bills. You may also want to consider putting a reflective insulation attic blanket on the floor of your attic. This type of product works great in the winter months, keeping your home protected against the winter elements.

Of course, you could always add more fiberglass insulation. But if there is a product that will be a compliment to fiberglass insulation, enhance the overall energy performance, and give you a much better ROI, reflective insulation is the product. Click here for a 60 second video on the comparison.

Whether it be for the rafters of your attic, the attic floor, house wrap or a hot water heater, make sure you look for a product that is a reflective insulation specific for your application. There are many products out there called radiant barriers. These products have a ‘one size fits all’ mentality. And although you might experience a temporary gain in comfort, over the medium and long term life of your house, reflective insulation is a much better performer. For more information on reflective insulation, go to www.radiaflect.com.

As Congress debates the details of the Home Star bill many people have asked the question of which federal program is better for them – Home Star or the Tax Credit program. Many consumers have delayed their buying decision until they learn whether Home Star will ever be passed and if so, what the final language will mean to them. As with most decisions like this, there isn’t a clear-cut answer. It really depends on your situation.

The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) created a tax credit for homeowners who replaced their old windows with new energy efficient replacement windows. The tax credit allowed the homeowner to receive a credit of 30% of the window cost (excluding installation), with a maximum of $1,500. The money would come in the form of a tax credit on your tax returns. As with most tax credits, it reduces your tax liability. If you have no taxable income or tax liability that can be reduced, you wouldn’t receive a benefit. For the average working class person, this tax credit is a significant incentive and would increase their tax rebate or reduce their tax payment in April.

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 is a bill that is being debated in Congress now. It isn’t clear whether this will ever become a law or not. So, there is a risk is waiting to see if it gets passed because the tax credit program expires on 12/31/10. You don’t want to miss out on both of these programs. The draft language of Home Star proposes upfront refunds on energy efficiency upgrades to your home. This could include windows, insulation, water heaters, HVAC, etc. Replacing windows would potentially offer a rebate of $1,000 if 8+ windows were replaced (or 75% of the windows in the home). This $1,000 would be taken off of the contract price from the home improvement company who sells you the windows. They would then apply for a refund from the government. This is similar to the Cash for Clunkers program that car dealerships offered.

The program that is best for you depends on your individual situation. The pros for the tax credit are that it exists today and the rebate amount for windows is higher. Home Star, if passed, would provide a lesser amount for windows, but it would be upfront money. Home Star would also have the benefit of allowing you to do multiple efficiency upgrades at one time to allow for an even higher rebate. e.g. – You could replace your windows, add insulation to your attic and add a solar hot water heater. This might result in several thousand dollars in discounts, but you’d have a much higher investment cost to get those returns.

Regardless of which program you feel best suits your needs; you don’t want to pass up these opportunities because they won’t be around for long.

We’re hearing all the time in the media how green materials, Energy Star qualified products, and home renovations will save us money and energy. The “green movement” has exploded, and green products are advertised everywhere TV, newspapers and the Internet. Every company says their products are energy efficient and good for the environment and this makes it difficult to choose, as consumers, when purchasing major home-improvement items, such as windows. So what’s the best way to decide which products really are the best value for your money?

Do your research. See what different groups and organizations such as Energy Star, the DOE, or various research facilities or universities have to say. What savings or benefits do they estimate you will receive from window replacement or another home improvement? Do be cautious, however. The old axiom still applies. Don’t believe everything you read. That’s why it’s important to get positions or opinions from several organizations or knowledgeable individuals and to be sure the data you’re studying applies to your climate area.

The bottom line? Most everyone agrees that any renovation such as windows, doors, insulation, etc. that makes your home more energy efficient WILL save you dollars on energy bills. It remains simply a question of how much will you save in your specific case? Just do your homework and decide which type of improvement and which specific product will provide the best savings for your home. Keep your expectations real, and buy smart and you’ll be a happy customer!

There has been an energy savings product on the market for quite some time called radiant barrier. The main concept behind this product is that it is put up in your attic rafters. In the summer, it reflects the warm air out, and in the winter, it helps keep the warm air in. It has been an adequate product for many years.

However, there has been a newer product emerge called reflective insulation. This newer product often has some type of energy efficient interlayer sandwiched between the reflective surfaces.

Through much research, I found a reflective insulation product that has a polyethelene interlayer. The great thing about this type of interlayer is it doesn't attract or hold moisture. It also is core perforated.  Having the product 'cored' instead of simply 'perfed' is an advantage because the holes can never be sealed up by dust and dirt. The advantage here is you don't have to worry about moisture being trapped.

Finally, if you are looking at radiant barriers or reflective insulations, make sure you find a product that works for your specific use. Many times with inexpensive radiant barriers or reflective insulation, you get one product that is supposed to be used in all parts of the house. It is more or less a 'one size fits all' mentality and not very customized for your home.

It is best to look for a reflective insulation product that has a family of products. Using this philosophy, you will find a product that is designed specifically for the use your home requires. It will also make your home more energy efficient.

There are two major parts to the changes in the ENERGY STAR Windows & Doors program that will occur on January 4, 2010.  The first change has to do with the four climate zones.  The borders of each zone have moved.  It’s important for you to know which zone you reside in. You can see the new map on the ENERGY STAR website (www.energystar.gov). It features a zip code lookup tool to help you find your area.

The other major change is an increase in thermal performance requirements—in the U-value and Solar Heat Gain values that products must achieve to qualify. 

So how will the new performance requirements affect you if you’re considering Gorell windows for your home?  If you purchase Eco Master or any of our triple-glass systems, there will be no change.  All of these high-performance glass systems will still qualify in all zones.

If you are considering AC Master, it will depend on which products you purchase and in which zone you live.  Some will qualify, but not all. Contact your Gorell dealer to determine which products still qualify with AC Master.

Starting on 1/1/10, Gorell’s laminated glass systems will incorporate our SolarControl Max Low-E—to ensure that every Gorell laminated glass system qualifies in all ENERGY STAR climate zones. 

For additional information on the new 2010 ENERGY STAR criteria, visit the ENERGY STAR web site at www.energystar.gov, or contact your local Gorell dealer.

I was reading some statistics the other day and saw that 22% of the energy expended in the United States is used by homes, costing American households $215 billion. Pretty astounding.

I think many Americans now realize the impact that building products like windows and doors can have on our economy—and their wallets. But it’s probably hard for consumers to determine what truly makes a product “green” or “energy efficient.” What manufacturer doesn’t say their products are “green?”

When measuring how green windows and doors really are, there are several factors that need to be considered, including the energy efficiency and sustainability/lifespan of the product, how environmentally friendly the manufacturing processes used to produce the product are, and what overall impact the product has on the environment (i.e is the material recylcable or reusable?).

There are many reputable green organizations out there to help homeowners make the right buying choices if they’re concerned about being green. I’m listing a few web sites here that can be especially helpful in finding out whether a product is truly “green.”

www.greenseal.org

www.energystar.gov

www.greenbuildingpages.com

www.efficienctwindows.org

The Energy Tax Credit There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the new tax credit available for homeowners that replace their windows and doors with more energy efficient products. The exact wording of the language written in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is a bit confusing.

However, let me highlight the points of this tax credit for you by going through a summary from Energy Star’s website, www.energystar.gov. To qualify for the tax credit, windows, doors and skylights placed in service after February 17, 2009 must have a U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient equal to or less than a .30. You can find the U-Factor and SHGC performance numbers on the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC website) www.nfrc.org.

Qualifying products purchased between February 17, 2009 and December 31, 2010 are eligible for a tax credit equal to 30% of the product cost. The maximum amount of homeowner credit for all improvements combined (including roofing, insulation, HVAC, water heaters, windows, and doors) is $1500 during the years of 2009 and 2010. So to summarize, windows and doors with a u value and SHGC equal to or lower than a .30 will qualify for the 2009 and 2010 tax credits.

Let me provide you with a couple of examples. If you ordered windows and the total cost without installation was $5000, you would qualify for a $1500 tax credit, the maximum allowable. As 30% of $5000 is $1500. A different example would be if you purchased $3000 worth of windows, your total tax credit here would be $900 or 30% of the cost of the windows.

As far as Gorell Windows and Doors, I am proud to say all of our best selling products with standard insulated glass, low-e and argon qualify for the tax credit. Ask a Gorell accredited dealer about specific details. Also, the US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, has again named Gorell the National Energy Star Partner of the Year for the sixth consecutive year as well as the Sustained Excellence Partner for the fourth consecutive year. Gorell is the only window and door manufacturer in the country that has earned these two awards this many times.

Finally, if you are looking for window and doors that not only provide superior energy efficiency but also are environmentally windows, Gorell Windows and Doors is also proud to be the only vinyl window company in the country to be Green Seal certified.

At Gorell, we are committed to providing you with the window and door technology of tomorrow – today!

Sure, the economy is in poor shape at this point in time. However, there are bright spots, too, and if the media were to simply give us a balanced economic picture—instead of focusing ONLY on the bad news—I’m convinced the American public would feel better about everything and start to buy again. It’s all about confidence, consumer confidence!

In the home improvement market, we are most definitely seeing “improvement” (excuse the unintended pun). Homeowners recognize the value in improving their homes, especially when it comes to replacing old, inefficient windows with ENERGY STAR qualified vinyl windows that are proven to lower home energy bills and make their homes more comfortable.

There are a few important factors pertaining to the home improvement and remodeling market that some people forget. Everyone knows that both new home construction and purchases of existing homes are down, partly because of the mortgage and banking situation. However, as a result, because homeowners are deciding to stay in their homes, they’re remodeling and improving them.

Gorell manufactures premium-level replacement windows and doors. How has the economy affected us? Well, we have had to adjust our marketing strategy a bit, but we are doing just fine. For example, we have always manufactured storm windows and doors in addition to vinyl replacement products. In the current economy we are seeing a lot more interest in storm products as a lower-cost alternative to replacement windows. These products still provide benefits homeowners want, like increased energy efficiency and sound reduction. And homeowners, who may have problems getting financing, are more likely able to pay for storm windows and doors without taking out loans.

This development has led to another change in what we are doing at Gorell Windows & Doors. Although we pride ourselves in manufacturing some of the absolute finest windows and doors in the country, we also recognize the situation homeowners find themselves in now because of increased difficulties in obtaining financing. So we’ve created a new lower-cost window, a single-hung product without the bells and whistles of our premium windows that more homeowners can afford.

We are just rolling this new product line out now, so the verdict isn’t in yet, but our dealers are already telling us that this move is an excellent one—and that they are certain it will sell. We’re just doing our part for the economy!

ENERGY STAR is a dynamic government/industry program designed to help individuals and businesses protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. The program helps consumers quickly and easily identify energy-efficient products that help save money and protect the environment.

Not all windows qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. They must first be tested by an independent laboratory to meet stringent criteria pertaining to energy efficiency and light transmittance. The ratings they achieve differ because of variables such as the glass used, style, and product design and construction.

The insulating properties of the entire window determine whether or not a window can be ENERGY STAR labeled. Windows with clear single-pane glass can’t achieve the ratings necessary to qualify for ENERGY STAR labeling. High-performance glass systems, which consist of double- or triple-insulating glass, low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings and an inert gas between the glass panes, are typically necessary for windows to comply with ENERGY STAR requirements.

ENERGY STAR labeled windows help reduce energy costs, increase a home’s comfort, and protect against UV damage. These products are also better for the environment—because they reduce fossil fuel burning and green house gas emissions—and for the country because they reduce the America’s dependency on foreign oil.

R-values, whole-product U-values and center-of-glass U-values can be confusing for both professionals and homeowners. It’s important to recognize that, when selecting windows and doors, the only performance criterion that should be considered is whole-product U-value.

Whole-product U-values are an indication of the performance of the product’s glass and its other components and characteristics. The thermal properties of the frame, spacer system, weather stripping and even grids, if the product has them, all have a bearing on the product’s whole-unit U-value. Whole-product U-values are the only form of measurement recognized and accepted by the ENERGY STAR program for determining whether products qualify for the ENERGY STAR label.

To arrive at a whole-product U-value, a particular model—in a specified, pre-determined size—is tested by an independent testing laboratory, and measurements are acquired from as many as 20 different locations on the product. In addition to the center of the glass, other locations include various points on the glass and around the sash and master frame.

A related—and often confusing—form of measurement is center-of-glass U-value. This measurement always appears better (i.e., a lower number) than whole-product U-values, because it’s based solely on the most thermally efficient section of the product—ONLY one spot on the glass. The U-value will be the same for that glass, regardless of the type of product the glass is in or what size that product is. It is NOT a measurement of the rest of the product, and does not reflect the thermal efficiency of the frame, spacer system and other components—only a small portion of the glass.

Another, older form of measuring a product’s thermal efficiency is R-value. R-values became well known when insulation manufacturers used them in advertising their products. Basically, R-value is the measure of the resistance of heat flow. R-values are an appropriate form of measurement for products like roof and wall insulation—but not fenestration products. R-values are typically shown as center-of-glass measurements, so they can be misleading as well.

You can’t go far today without seeing or hearing about environmentally friendly products.  It’s ”green” this or ”green” that everywhere you look.  I’ve seen bleach and even gasoline advertised as green products, and I question how companies can claim some of these products are green?  The short answer is, many of these claims can’t be backed up.  Companies have just jumped on the green bandwagon to sell more products.

I’ve researched the criteria the EPA uses to define a green product.  There are five standards that a product needs to meet to really be considered ”green.”  The criteria are:

- Energy efficiency
- Sustainability/lifespan of materials
- Manufacturing processes used in producing it
- Low negative impact on the environment
- Lower manufacturing costs

Vinyl replacement windows (VRW) qualify as green products because they meet all these criteria.  With the many different types of high-performance glass available, vinyl windows are extremely energy efficient.  VRWs also have a long lifespan, and they are produced using an efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing process.  These products’ impact on the environment is quite positive as well because vinyl is 100% recyclable and reusable.  You don’t have to cut down trees or use extra energy to produce vinyl windows. 

To reinforce this, I point out a study done in Germany by the Federal Office of the Environment, which is akin to our EPA.  Because Europeans have been living in a ”green” environment longer than we have, their research is not only respected, it is time tested.  This particular study shows that plastic grocery bags are significantly better for the environment that paper grocery bags.  Most people would assume the opposite is true, but the results of this survey are indisputable.  The survey results were the basis for similar green criteria used in Europe.

Finally, compared to alternative window products, significantly lower manufacturing costs are incurred in the production of vinyl windows.

So, if you are thinking of “going green” with new windows, remember the surprising “paper or plastic” survey results.  And when you consider wood or vinyl windows, go with the more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient option of vinyl.