Energy Star Windows

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Why Buy ENERGY STAR qualified Windows?

Windows, doors and skylights - collectively known as fenestration products - are a major source of heat loss in Canadian homes. Fenestration products that qualify for the ENERGY STAR mark, such as Ostaco, Farley and Fenplast, have been independently tested and certified to be among the most energy efficient on the market. So educating consumers that installing them in their homes will reduce energy consumption and save money is important.

But there's more - energy efficient windows will also increase comfort, cut down noise levels from outside the home, have less condensation in cold weather than standard products, and allow fewer ultraviolet rays to pass through glazed areas, protecting from sun damage. Last but certainly not least, by reducing your home's energy consumption, ENERGY STAR qualified window's, doors and skylights also reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to climate change.

How much money can be saved by installing ENERGY STAR qualified fenestration products?

Homeowners who replace all of their old windows and doors with ENERGY STAR
Qualified products will typically save about 7 percent on their energy bills. Buyers of new homes with ENERGY STAR qualified fenestration products can save up to 12 percent on their energy bills compared to standard products. The savings tend to be greater on new homes because they are typically larger and have more windows and doors than older homes.

How does a window, door or skylight qualify for ENERGY STAR?

To qualify products must meet strict technical requirements for both thermal and structural performance. Products are qualified based on either their U-value (rate of heat transfer from a warm area to a cold area) or their Energy Rating (a scale that takes into account a products U-value, potential solar gain and air tightness). The colder the climate zone, the more stringent the requirements. Windows, doors and skylights must also have good air tightness to qualify for ENERGY STAR. To ensure the integrity of the ENERGY STAR mark, all product testing is done by accredited laboratories under standardized, quality-controlled conditions.

How will I know if a product is energy star qualified?

Just look for the familiar ENERGY STAR mark on the product or in the manufacturers literature. If the map on the ENERGY STAR label indicates that the product is qualified in the Canadian climate zone where you live, you've found a winner.

Are ENERGY STAR products much more expensive?

Not necessarily, and where their is a cost premium, the money you save in energy bills will more than repay the extra cost, often very quickly. Excellent products are available at competitive prices so, whether you're building a new home or replacing existing windows as part of a renovation project, it's a good idea to select the most energy efficient products you can afford. Low priced, poor quality models can end up costing you a lot more money and can also lower the resale value of the home.