Making Windows Energy
Efficient - INFOGRAPHIC
Windows play a crucial role in the passive solar management of your home, offering the potential for free heating, cooling, and lighting. Window manufacturers and installers work hard to provide energy-efficient solutions that can significantly reduce your energy costs.
This infographic highlights 10 key areas where manufacturers and installers focus their efforts to enhance window energy efficiency.
Keep Energy Costs Down and Comfort Up with Energy-Efficient Windows
Windows provide light, warmth and ventilation, but they also decrease home energy-efficiency and can affect the comfort in your home. Choosing the right glass option will allow you to find a balance between energy costs and the desired level of home comfort.
Energy Star Labels
INFOGRAPHIC
In Canada, energy-efficient windows begin with ENERGY STAR certification. These certified windows meet or exceed high-efficiency standards, ranking in the top 15 to 30 percent for energy performance in their class. Every ENERGY STAR-certified product comes with a temporary label, packed with ratings that help both suppliers and consumers understand what they’re purchasing or installing.
Energy Star Labels
Understanding Ratings
Navigating window and glass ratings can be perplexing, as higher numbers are preferred in some cases while lower numbers are preferred in others. To assist you, here are some helpful tips.
Energy Star
CDN Climate Zone
Even though windows do not consume energy, they can be a significant source of heat loss in a home. ENERGY STAR qualified windows will save you money by reducing the overall annual energy costs. ENERGY STAR windows will also help keep your home more comfortable all-year-round and may have less condensation in cold weather compared with a conventional non-certified product.
Energy Star
Comparing Products
When deciding where to buy your windows, finding comparative information is straightforward. However, interpreting this data can be overwhelming.
Performance Rating
Visual Transmittance (VT)
The amount of light you let into your home is a matter of personal taste. When replacing your windows, knowing what VT is and how to control it will help you get it right.
Performance Rating
Solar Heat Gain (SHGC)
Let the sun shine in, or not. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measurement can help you achieve a desired increase or decrease in the amount of solar radiation (heat) passing through a window into your home.
Performance Rating
Energy Star (ER)
Although windows and doors don’t consume energy themselves, they can be a significant source of energy loss. If you're purchasing windows with energy efficiency in mind, the ER helps you make standardized product comparisons.
Performance Rating
Air Leakage (AL)
Air leakage (AL) is becoming an increasingly important factor when selecting energy-efficient windows and doors, especially for homeowners in cold climates like Ottawa. With rising energy costs and a focus on energy efficiency, understanding AL can help you choose products that reduce drafts and maintain indoor comfort. But what exactly is air leakage, and why should you care?
Performance Rating
R-value of Insulation
Move over, traditional window specs – the R-value is becoming a popular measurement in the world of window sales! Though it's been around for a while, this rating is gaining traction as an indicator of window efficiency. But why the sudden surge in popularity? Keep reading to find out.
Performance Rating
U-factor (U-Value)
When choosing windows, two key metrics to consider are the U-factor (or U-value) and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). Understanding these can help you make informed decisions for better home comfort and energy efficiency.
Learn About Windows
E-BOOK GUIDE
Considering replacement windows? Cut through the complexity with our "Almost Everything You Need to Know About Windows" guide. Download the 32-page PDF now for detailed information, diagrams, and expert advice to help you make an informed decision.
Window Technology
Fighting the Climate
In today's fight against climate change, your home's windows are more than just a source of natural light — they are key players in energy efficiency. Modern window technology can significantly reduce your energy bills by optimizing solar heat gain in the winter and minimizing it in the summer.
Window Technology
Battling the Sun
The sun’s warmth and light can be a blessing, illuminating our homes and making them feel cosy and inviting. However, the intense heat and UV rays that come with it can also pose significant challenges.
Categories:
Windows
Entrance Doors
Patio Doors
Energy Efficiency
Extreme Temperatures
Installation
Bayview Windows
Choosing Windows
20 Best Value Tips
20 Best Value Tips
Learn About Doors
19 Essential Insights
19 Essential Insights
Don't Miss the Canadian Greener Homes Initiative
Window Cleaning
Free E-Book
Free E-Book
Home Comfort
Humidity/Temp. Guidelines
Humidity/Temp. Guidelines
Window Cleaning
Do's and Don'ts
Do's and Don'ts
Anatomy of a
Window Interior
Window Interior
Terminology Explained
Trim, Capping, Cladding...
Trim, Capping, Cladding...
Video - Typical window installation
Anatomy of a
Window Exterior
Window Exterior
Try our colour window imagination tool
Condensation
Why Take it Seriously?
Why Take it Seriously?
Condensation
New Window Fix?
New Window Fix?
Glass Options
Single-Glaze vs Multi-Glaze
Single-Glaze vs Multi-Glaze
Condensation
How to Prevent
How to Prevent
