Watch our video: Your Guide to Selecting ENERGY STAR Qualified Windows and
Doors.
Thermal Industries, an ENERGY STAR
partner.
Thermal Industries is proud to manufacture vinyl replacement windows and
patio doors with the ENERGY STAR label. We offer our customers variety of high-performance,
insulating glass systems that help qualify our window and patio door products for the ENERGY
STAR label. Ask your sales representative for more information.
What is
ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and
the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy
efficient products and practices.
In 2008 alone, Americans like you, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy to avoid
greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 29 million cars—while saving $19 billion on their
utility bills.
What does this program consider as
an ENERGY STAR Qualified Window or Door?
Every ENERGY STAR qualified window is independently certified by the National
Fenestration Rating Council, or NFRC, to perform at levels that meet or exceed strict energy
efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Just like the EPA sticker on a new car gives
you a car’s fuel economy, or miles per gallon, the NFRC label will help you measure and compare the
energy performance of different window brands. ENERGY STAR requirements for windows and doors vary
by climate zone. For instance, a window that is energy efficient in Miami, FL will not be the best
choice in Anchorage, Alaska.
What criteria does the ENERGY STAR Program use for
Window and Door Performance?
The first energy performance rating is the U-Factor. U-Factor
measures heat transfer through a window and tells you how well the window insulates. The lower the
U-factor, the better the window insulates. During winter months, the lower a windows’ overall
U-factor, the less heat you will lose through that window, and the less energy you will use to heat
your home.
The second performance rating is Solar Heat Gain Coefficient.
This measures how much solar heat is admitted into your home through the window, and tells you how
well the window blocks heat caused by sunlight. The lower the SHGC, the better the window is at
blocking heat. During summer months, a lower SHGC means less solar radiation is admitted through
your windows, keeping your home cooler, and saving you money on running your air conditioner.
The ENERGY STAR
Label
The ENERGY STAR label shows highlighted regions that indicate if the
product was designed to deliver energy efficient performance in a specific area.
How can you find the ENERGY STAR climate zone for your
location?
Visit the ENERGY STAR website page: Windows, Doors, and Skylights
Climate Zone Finder. Select the state and county you reside in from the drop down menus and click "Search."
A new web page will appear detailing what ENERGY STAR labels to look for and what U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain
Coefficient ratings your windows must have to meet qualification criteria in your climate zone.
Technologies window manufacturers can use to fabricate ENERGY STAR qualified windows
include:
•
Improved framing materials such as vinyl.
•
Two or more panes of glass with a Low-E coating that blocks UV rays and
reduces solar heat.
•
Warm edge spacers, such as foam, that keep the panes separated without acting
as a conductor to help fight heat loss and reduce condensation.
•
Argon or krypton gas fills between the panes provide better insulation.
These gases are odorless, colorless, and non-toxic.
Benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified Windows and Doors
Save Energy & Money
Windows can account for almost one-quarter of household energy use. Many studies
tell us that the number one priority of homeowners like you in replacing windows is energy
savings.
Installing ENERGY STAR qualified window and doors in your home will lower your
energy bills by 7-15% compared to non-qualified products.
Lower energy consumption also reduces greenhouse gas
emissions from power plants and shrinks a home’s carbon footprint.
Refer to the "Savings When Replacing map" on the ENERGY STAR website
for potential savings in your area.
Increased Comfort ENERGY STAR qualified windows can help put an end to cold drafts and overheated rooms in your home by keeping
your home’s temperature consistently comfortable.
Prevent Fading of Interior Furnishings With repeated exposure to direct sunlight, drapes, carpeting, wood flooring and photos can fade or discolor.
ENERGY STAR qualified windows have special coatings that act like a sunscreen for your house, enabling you to let
in the light you want while blocking ultraviolet rays that can damage your furnishings.
We are proud to provide home improvement and remodeling services in the following
area's
