Are the Replacement Window and Door Products You Sell Energy Efficient? Are They ENERGY STAR Certified?

One of the major advantages of the replacement windows and doors we sell in San Diego is their energy efficiency. Our dual pane, vinyl replacement windows help insulate homes and reduce related energy costs, such as the cost of cooling and heating the home.

All of the windows and doors we sell are ENERGY STAR certified, which means they meet or exceed the energy performance standards set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Qualified products will effectively keep hot air out in the hot summer months, and keep the warm air inside in the cold winter months. To become ENERGY STAR certified, a window manufacturer must demonstrate that their products are effective at reducing heat transfer. All products wishing to be ENERGY STAR certified are tested by an independent nonprofit organization called the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) to ensure that they are measured by the same set of standards.

But are ENERGY STAR products actually worth it? The short answer is “yes.” Studies have shown that homeowners who replace single pane windows with ENERGY STAR certified dual pane windows can reduce their energy bills, on average, by 12%. At the same time, they are also shrinking their carbon footprint! If you are going to replace your windows and doors, you should definitely do it with ENERGY STAR products.

Common Characteristics of ENERGY STAR Windows and Doors

ENERGY STAR certified windows and doors often have several key energy-saving features in common:

• Quality framing materials, such as vinyl, that reduce heat transfer
• Two panes of glass
• Low-Emissivity (or Low-E) glass that has a special reflective coating to keep out heat and UV rays
• Argon or Krypton gas in between the two panes of glass for extra insulation
• A warm edge space in between the two panes of glass to help reduce heat transfer

When used in combination, the above features of windows or patio doors make them extremely energy efficient. ENERGY STAR certified products aren’t required to use all of the technologies listed above, but the majority of them do.

Why Is It Important to Buy ENERGY STAR Window and Door Products?

We mentioned that replacement windows and doors that have been ENERGY STAR certified are proven to be energy efficient, but there’s another great reason to buy ENERGY STAR products: rebates and tax credits.

Often, the government will offer tax credits when a homeowner purchases energy-efficient products for their homes, as a way to incentivize people to make their homes more eco-friendly. Similarly, utility companies may also offer rebates to customers who opt for energy-efficient upgrades in their homes. One of the requirements for these rebates and tax credits will often be that the products installed be ENERGY STAR certified.

So, not only will installing energy-efficient replacement windows and doors save you money on your monthly heating and cooling costs, but you could also get some money back on the purchase price of your new windows and doors!

How Do I Know If the Replacement Windows I’m Considering Are ENERGY STAR certified?

If you’re buying windows from a store or from a replacement window dealer that has a showroom, all of the ENERGY STAR products they sell should have the blue ENERGY STAR sticker on them. It will likely be displayed prominently on the sample products, because this certification is a huge selling feature for windows and doors.

If you’re purchasing from a San Diego replacement window dealer who doesn’t have a showroom, or who has come to your home for your consultation, they will be able to tell you which of their products are ENERGY STAR certified. If you want to do your own research, it should only take a small amount of looking online to figure out which products are ENERGY STAR certified and which ones aren’t. A simple search with the manufacturer’s name and the words “energy star” should give you all the information you need.

As we mentioned before, all of the replacement window and door products we sell at BM Windows are ENERGY STAR certified! Any products you purchase from us are high-quality energy-efficient products made by reputable manufacturers.