How a Window Becomes ENERGY STAR®-Certified

Whether you plan to purchase wood or vinyl windows, it’s understandable that you want nothing but the best for your home. Windows are a great asset to every home, from enhancing your property values to helping you save on heating and cooling costs. There’s a bevy of windows but for the best quality, look no further than ENERGY STAR®-certified windows.

In this post, Homecraft Inc. discusses how a window becomes ENERGY STAR-certified.

Manufacturing

To qualify for ENERGY STAR, a window must meet three requirements. The first is its manufacturing; windows manufactured by ENERGY STAR partners can help a window become qualified. Renewal by Andersen® and ProVia® are ENERGY STAR partners and boast the leading window and door products available on the market. To get started on your wood window installation from either of these companies, turn to Homecraft Inc. for the best results.

Testing and Verification

Apart from its manufacturing origins, a window must also be independently tested, certified, and verified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). The NFRC sponsors certified rating and labeling to help consumers compare the performance of windows, doors, and skylights. All window and door companies that wish to have their products labeled as ENERGY STAR-certified must pass the NFRC’s tests first.

Performance Ratings

Together with the EPA, the NFRC has set performance ratings that windows must pass to gain ENERGY STAR certification. These performance ratings have five categories: U-Factor, which measures heat transfer rate and how well your window insulates; Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which determines how well the product blocks sunlight heat; Air Leakage (AL), which measures the rate in which air passes through the window joints; Visible Transmittance (VT), which determines the amount of light the window lets through; and Condensation Resistance, which tells how well a window can resist water build-up. All five are important, but ENERGY STAR certification is based only on U-factor and SHGC ratings.

Turn to Homecraft Inc. for your home improvement needs. We are your leading provider of replacement windows and siding installation services. Give us a call at (302) 798-0302 or fill out our contact form to request a quote. We serve customers in Wilmington, Bear, and other areas in DE.