CDN Energy Star Climate Zones

Before we begin, here are some Energy Star Resources
for you to take a look at:

• Compare window performance by brand, type and energy efficiency
• Technology Primer
• Buy Energy Star to save money
• ENERGY STAR® rebates and incentives directory
• ENERGY STAR Technical Specifications - 2020 (NRC)

Be sure to select the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient (YEAR): checkbox to see the most efficient windows for the YEAR.

Window ENERGY STAR Ratings “Out with the old and in with the new!”

Our world is constantly evolving with new and improved products and procedures designed to make our lives easier. The Energy Star Window Standards in Canada are no exception. Discover how these standards, along with their associated Climate Zones, have been simplified for your convenience.

No more thinking required

The three distinct Energy Star Climate Zones that had previously existed (2015 to 2019) in Canada have now been combined into one zone. As of January 1, 2020, the Energy Star window program which includes standards for Canadian manufacturers, installation and residential home builders has been simplified. But no worries, the new zones do not mean that the specification requirements have been lowered, in fact, for areas of Canada that experience less extreme temperatures, the bar has been raised.

See the old Energy Star Climate Zones

How are ENERGY STAR ratings formalized?

In Canada, the energy performance of a window is tested using the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) A440.2 standard. And Energy Star Certification is administered by Natural Resources Canada which uses several metrics to measure the energy efficiency of windows or doors.

Energy performance is rated using the following values:

1. The U-factor 
(The lower the number, the more efficient the product)

The U-factor is the rate of heat transfer from warm to cold areas in watts per square metre Kelvin (W/m2K) or in British thermal units per hour per square foot Fahrenheit (Btu/h x sq. ft. x °F).

2. Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) 
(The higher the number, the more solar heat the product gains)

A solar heat gain coefficient is a ratio showing the amount of the sun’s heat that can pass through the product.

3. The R-value 
(The higher the number, the more efficient the product)

The R-value is a value indicating the resistance to heat transfer in square feet per hour in degrees Fahrenheit per British thermal unit (sq. ft. x h x °F/Btu).

(The R-value is not part of the energy performance standards, but is often quoted by contractors and sales staff as a measure of performance.)

4. Visible transmittance (VT) 
(The higher the number, the more light can pass through)

Visible transmittance is the ratio of the amount of visible light that can pass through a product.

5. Centre-of-glass rating

The centre-of-glass rating an energy-efficiency value refers only to the glass portion of a window product and not as a whole.

6. The Energy Rating (ER) 
(The higher the number, the more efficient the product)

A value demonstrating the balance between U-factor, SHGC and air leakage. ER values can be presented in Imperial or Metric Units of measurement.

7. Air Leakage (AL) 
(The lower the AL, the less air will pass through cracks in the window assembly)

The air leakage value is a heat loss and gain that occurs by infiltration through cracks in the window assembly. It is indicated by an air leakage rating (AL) expressed as the equivalent cubic feet of air passing through a square foot of window area. This rating must be 0.30 or less to qualify for Energy Star Certification.

ENERGY STAR - Minimum qualification criteria for windows

Products that earn the ENERGY STAR are independently certified to save energy, save money and protect the climate. In order to qualify for ENERGY STAR certification, a window or door must meet a minimum Energy Rating (ER) or a maximum U-Factor value.

ENERGY STAR - Most Efficient Windows

Energy Star recognizes and publishes a LIST of the most efficient windows, a distinction recognizing products that deliver cutting edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation. It is an award that truly represents the best of ENERGY STAR.

To qualify, these products must exceed the minimum qualification criteria and meet or exceed a minimum ER rating and U-factor value.

Check the specs (not all window brands are the same)

Who does the ENERGY STAR certification?

When you buy ENERGY STAR certified windows, they have been tested against current Energy Star standards by an accredited laboratory, and the test results are verified by an independent third party. Windows sold in Canada may be certified for energy performance by:

• CSA International (CSA)
   
• Intertek Testing Services (ITS)
   
• Quality Auditing Institute Ltd. (QAI)
   
• The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)
   
• Labtest Certifications
   

What about Insulated Glass Units (IGUs)

Some insulated glass units may carry Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) certification - IGUs that will not fog and whose seals will not fail prematurely. Certification does not come from the Energy Star program.

This program promotes the consistent production of high-quality Insulating Glass Units. Each product line undergoes rigorous testing against the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) 12.8 Standard for Insulating Glass Units and the manufacturer must maintain a quality control program approved by IGMAC. In addition, each product line is independently audited at least twice a year and retested every two years.