Energy star wood windows

Heating and cooling systems for each model include either natural gas heat and electric air conditioning or an electric heat pump. The energy savings for each city were calculated by averaging the eight home profiles. Be sure to get quotes from several installers. Different dealers may quote difference prices for the same product. When interviewing contractors, ask them to break down the price quote by labor and materials. If your house is older than , be sure to look for contractors who are certified to handle lead paint.

New performance levels PDF, In addition, doors must meet U-Factor and, where applicable, SHGC requirements based on glazing level amount of glass. Building Products Resources. Homeowners and contractors should be mindful of the different materials that comprise a window, taking special notice of the quality and suitability of the materials for the project. Vinyl windows are an affordable replacement window option made from polyvinyl chloride PVC. They are rigid and possess hollow chambers inside that make them energy efficient by helping them resist both heat transfer and condensation.

Vinyl windows need little maintenance as they do not require any kind of painting or finishing, and they do not fade, rot, chip, or peel. Most companies will offer lifetime warranties on their vinyl options. The material does, however, limit the choice of colors to shades of white, black, gray, and brown. Also, vinyl windows can begin to warp when exposed to high temperatures and may expand and contract with temperature fluctuations.

For these reasons, they may be better-suited for milder climates. Fiberglass windows are a bit pricier, but when compared to vinyl windows, they are even more energy efficient and durable. Fiberglass windows are resistant to temperature changes that cause other materials to expand and contract, which means that hardly any air leaks around the frame.

Known for their strength, fiberglass is as low maintenance as vinyl. Although quite expensive, wood is an elegant replacement window option. Wood does not conduct as much heat as other materials do and does not allow for much condensation to build up. Wood does require substantial upkeep in order to prevent warping, rotting, and chipping, however. Additionally, for residents that live in an area with termites, working with a termite treatment company to develop a reliable prevention strategy is recommended.

Still, with proper care and refinishing as needed, wood can be an attractive choice for the right house. Aluminum is an inexpensive option for replacement windows. Aluminum windows are long-lasting because they resist corrosion, and give the window an industrial appearance.

They are known to have issues with efficiency since metal does conduct heat; however, this issue can be resolved by selecting an aluminum window that has thermal breaks. Composite windows are a blend of materials that consists of resin and fiberglass. The material is strong and lightweight and requires the same level of maintenance or lack thereof as do vinyl replacement windows.

While composite windows share similar features of vinyl and fiberglass windows, they actually mimic the appearance of wood windows, and they are priced in between vinyl and wood options. Clad windows exist for individuals who want the durability that vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum windows offer, combined with the artistry of wood. These are windows that have wood on the interior of the home, and one of the aforementioned materials on the exterior of the home.

They require less maintenance since the wood only exists on half of the window, and they offer the same level of protection as vinyl or fiberglass options. The performance of a replacement window, or lack thereof, can have a direct impact on the cost of heating and cooling a home as well as the durability of the window over time. Here are some tips to help determine whether a window is a quality product, or cheaply made:.

The hardware of a window consists of all of the components used to open and close a window. Quality hardware is made from solid steel that is cut on laser machines, while cheap hardware is made from stamped metal parts or folded metal sheets. While other materials can rust over time, parts made from sturdy materials, like stainless steel, will allow the window unit to operate smoothly. Also, windows that have a stable transition from the locked and unlocked position are an indication of quality.

Some windows are designed to hide and protect the gear mechanisms from dust, which ultimately improves the longevity of the parts. Finally, handles and locks made from plastic do not offer the same level of quality as those made from nickel and other metals. When shopping for replacement windows, it is helpful to look at cutouts that allow you to see the internal structure of the window.

Look for a window that is constructed from thick walls and multiple chambers or pockets. Reinforcement, using metal or wood, is used to provide structural rigidity to a window. Reinforcing members can be included inside the window, in various window components, or in-between window units. Reinforcement is often necessary for very large window units, but can also indicate that a smaller window unit may have been made poorly, as small windows should not need reinforcement.

Wood reinforcements may also indicate poor construction as they compromise the energy efficiency of the window. Similarly, metal reinforcements conduct heat, which also inhibits the energy efficiency of the window. Look for a window that is constructed from thick walls and does not require the use of reinforcements except for with large applications, where the use of reinforcements is unavoidable. A quality window has a high degree of rigidity without the need to add additional reinforcement.

Compression seals are used to protect against drafts and keep rain and other elements from entering the home. They are placed between the sashes and frames of a window. For sliding windows, weatherstripping is used, and for casement or awning windows, bulb seals are used. High-quality windows will feature three seals, while low-quality windows might only have one or two seals.

Quality seals are made from Santoprene rubber, which acts as an effective insulator. It is a durable material and will keep a window properly sealed for many years. On the other hand, cheap seals are made from PVC, which breaks easily and will lose its sealing power after only a couple of years. For many homeowners, energy efficiency is the most popular selling point for replacement windows.

The National Association of Home Builders NAHB listed home energy efficiency as the second most likely quality to influence a purchase decision behind community safety.

As different climates require more or less insulation from the sun, performance criteria varies from region to region. In addition to measures of heat transfer and sun-blocking, the NFRC tests visible transmittance, air leakage, and condensation resistance. An NFRC label will not, on its own, indicate a good or bad window. See the table below for help interpreting the NFRC label when comparing multiple energy efficient replacement window options.

Low emissivity, or low-E coatings are thin and transparent coatings that increase the energy efficiency of replacement window glass by reflecting heat while still allowing light to enter.

The effectiveness of low-E coatings and their ability to regulate the temperature inside a home are shown on the NFRC label, so pay close attention to the values when comparing multiple products. Insulated glass makes a home more energy efficient through the use of multiple panes and an insulating medium.

Double-glazed refers to a window that uses two glass panes, while triple-glazed refers to a window that uses three glass panes. The panes are separated along their edges by foam or metal spacers, and the space in-between is filled with an insulating medium, such as air, argon, or krypton gas, that works to slow the transfer of heat through the window.

In summary, energy efficiency is a desirable characteristic for most homeowners when looking to purchase new replacement windows. Lastly, remember that there are additional fixtures that can be added to replacement windows to further reduce energy usage in the home. To learn more about additional ways to improve the energy efficiency of replacement windows, see the section on improving energy efficiency below. Another important thing to look for, as a buyer, is whether the company that sells or manufactures the window offers installation.

Several companies that offer replacement windows also have professionals available to install the new windows. Even for homeowners who are capable of performing the replacement on their own, paying the company who produced the window has benefits. Aside from saving time and effort, professional installation usually includes warranties that protect the homeowner from the cost of damages that result in faulty installation. Warranties vary in their coverage and might only be valid for a certain amount of time.

How a warranty is defined can also vary across manufacturers. For example, the term lifetime can mean different things depending on the company, but most commonly refers to either the life of the owner or the expected lifespan of the window. With that in mind, here are the most common types of available warranties:.

The coverage that a warranty will include also differs between manufacturers. In the North-Central Zone, the U-factor requirement is 0. The South-Central Zone allows U-factors of 0. Windows qualified in the Southern Zone can have U-factors of 0. The qualification criteria for skylights are prescriptive only and are as follows: In the Northern Zone, skylights must have a U-factor of 0.

In the North-Central Zone, skylights must have a U-factor of 0. In the South-Central Zone, skylights must have a U-factor of 0. In the Southern Zone, skylights must have a U-factor of 0. Glazing level refers to the amount of glass in the door.

An opaque door has no glass. A door that is less than or equal to half-lite is comprised of approximately half glass or less. A door that is greater than half-lite is mostly glass; this category includes fully glazed or full-lite doors such as sliding glass doors.

The qualification criteria for doors are as follows: Opaque doors must have a U-factor of 0. Less than or equal to half-lite doors must have a U-factor of 0.