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Energy Star Resource Center
The Energy Star qualification criterion for all zones has changed for 2010 and the fenestration industry has been affected in three significant ways. These changes will have a substantial impact on the consumers of windows and doors. - The Energy Star Zone Map (shown to the left) has been modified. The Northern Zone is expanding and as a result, the zones for the Southwestern tier of states: California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas have been altered. There are less apparent changes in other areas of the country which must also be observed. Even though they are less dramatic, they significantly impact consumers in those specific regions.
- U Value & Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) requirements for each zone have been changed. Windsor has glazing options that meet the criteria for all zones. For the Northern Zone, there are two levels that meet the qualifications; the Prescriptive and the Equivalent Energy Performance. Windsor's Energy Star qualified options will meet the Prescriptive requirements of U-Value <= 0.30 and any SHGC.
- Doors now carry separate requirements from windows. Under the previous guidelines, windows and doors were required to meet the same U-Value & SHGC for a zone. For 2010, doors will have one requirement based on glazing style regardless of zone. See the Doors Chart in the graphic to the left. All of Windsor’s doors fall under the >1/2-lite requirements of U-Value ≤0.32 and SHGC ≤ 0.30.
Manufacturers began reporting to the new criteria and labeling requirements as early as January 1, 2010, and are required to make a complete conversion by April 1, 2010. The new label requirements are designed to help consumers understand the Energy Star qualification criteria and the implications to their unique application and location. The new labels also provide the specific Air Infiltration Rating for that product, rather than simply supplying an acceptable range for the product type.
Energy Star is not a code, but many builders and homeowners use Energy Star as a benchmark of comparison and as a decision making tool when purchasing fenestration products. Some local building codes also choose to amend their local requirements to the Energy Star levels.
To ensure that consumers have options that meet or exceed the market expectation for 2010 Energy Star compliance, Windsor has made four significant improvements to our glazing offering.
The Windsor Glazing System will be used on all three product lines: Pinnacle, Legend and Next Dimension. The Windsor Glazing System will utilize LoE 366 (rather than LoE 272) as our standard glazing, along with the Super Spacer Technology, for a superior glazing solution. In addition, we will also offer another option, called Dual Low-E, which adds a second barrier of hard coat to the insulated glass. We will also make Double Strength (DS) glass standard for all Pinnacle, Legend and Next Dimension products. By implementing these four improvements, all Windsor products will have a glazing option that meets or exceeds the 2010 Energy Star Requirements for all zones. These adaptations of a two-pane glazing system are the most efficient and cost effective way to meet the new Energy Star criteria.
Additional Information
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