We have spoken to you in earlier blogs about ensuring that the windows you buy are qualified with an Energy Star. This blog will discuss what it means to be Energy Star Qualified.

What is an Energy Star?

Simply put, an Energy Star on your windows, doors and skylights ensures that they are tested and qualified to be energy efficient. It is a mark of approval by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and that these products are independently tested, verified and certified by them.

An important criterion by which these are qualified by an Energy Star, is that the NFRC ratings given to them must meet the energy efficiency guidelines of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

They are only manufactured by those companies that are qualified to be Energy Star partners. You can thus be sure that they meet the highest standards out there in terms of energy efficiency.

What makes a window energy-efficient?

Breaking it down, the Energy Star website shows you what product features qualify a window, door or skylight as energy efficient. Here are two diagrams from the website that succinctly explain these criteria:

 As you can see from the diagram, the fitting and installing of these windows contributes greatly to their energy efficiency. We at Chicago Windows and Doors, have been instrumental in installing these Energy Star windows in many homes in Chicago. Call us and we will help you transform your home into an energy efficient haven.