How Does a Replacement Window Earn an Energy Star Rating?

By now everyone has seen or heard about the Energy Star® label. It is found on any item that uses or affects the amount of energy consumption by consumers. You can find it on dishwashers, refrigerators, lighting and even replacement windows.Windows may not consume energy, but they do affect how much you need to use your heater or air conditioner. Windows that are not energy efficient make your heater or air conditioner work harder by allowing the air in your house to escape through them.A replacement window that is labeled with the Energy Star label lets the consumer know that it is different from other replacement window products. For a replacement window to earn an Energy Star label, it has to meet certain energy efficiency requirements. These requirements have been created by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) based on certain specifications.

Energy Star Label Earned for Energy Savings

An Energy Star replacement window has to actually save consumers money nationwide. It can’t just be a small amount either; consumers must be able to see a significant savings in their energy bill once they have been placed in their home. These windows also have to save a consumer enough money on their energy bill, that they are able to recover the difference between a regular replacement window and the more expensive Energy Star replacement window. Just being energy efficient is not good enough either. If the consumer is expecting a certain feature or level of performance from the window, it has to deliver. If it doesn’t; it loses the right to the Energy Star label, even if it is still energy efficient.

Energy Star Testing

A window manufacturer can’t just state that their windows meet the Energy Star requirements for efficiency. Their claims have to be able to be verified and measured by an independent party. More specifically, this independent party is the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council). A window is tested specifically for performance and energy consumption.

Changes to Energy Star Specifications

Changes happen all the time and the specifications used by the EPA for awarding an Energy Star label is not immune to constant change. These specifications change whenever the Federal government changes minimum efficiency standards, there are advances in energy efficiency technology, the energy savings by consumers are facing significant issues or there are issues with quality, performance or testing procedures. As you can see these specifications are far from being set in stone as there is a long list of situations that can change the numbers the EPA uses to grant the Energy Star label.Most recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have named Andersen Corporation as 2011 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award winner for the Product Manufacturer—Windows category for its family of brands, including Andersen Windows®, Renewal by Andersen®, Eagle Window & Door® and Silver Line Building Products®. It is the second year in a row the company has received this distinction. Andersen received the designation for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing and educating consumers about energy-efficient products.Andersen has been part of the ENERGY STAR program since its inception in 1998 and was the first window manufacturer awarded the ENERGY STAR National Window Partner of the Year in 1999. For the second year in a row, Andersen is honored for its leadership in manufacturing products that earn the ENERGY STAR moniker, the government-backed symbol of energy efficiency. This distinction honors Andersen’s ongoing commitment to providing energy-efficient products, as well as the company’s comprehensive use of ENERGY STAR information in media relations, consumer education programs, advertising, web sites, social media and training materials.To learn more about how Energy Star replacement windows from Renewal by Andersen® can help improve the energy efficiency of your home, visit us at a showroom near you, schedule an in-home consultation or call us in Louisville at (502) 266-7762 in Lexington at (859)271-1645.Thank you for adding your comment. We appreciate your feedback.