Choosing ENERGY STAR®-certified replacement windows can improve your home’s energy efficiency, which can help reduce your monthly energy consumption. Home remodeling contractor Colonial Remodeling, LLC discusses the qualities that make replacement windows qualified for ENERGY STAR certification.

What Is ENERGY STAR?

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program created by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, as a means to identify energy-efficient products at-a-glance. The first products to bear the ENERGY STAR labels include computers and printers. Today, the ENERGY STAR labeling program now includes any product that consumes or affects consumption of electricity, including HVAC systems, dishwashers, and replacement windows.

How Replacement Windows Affect Energy Consumption

You might be wondering how replacement windows can be labeled as energy-efficient as they don’t use electricity at all. This is because windows are part of your home’s energy envelope, an enclosure that also includes the attic and exterior walls.

The energy envelope needs to be airtight and have sufficient insulation in order to prevent heat transfer, the cause of heat loss during cold days, and heat gain during hot days. Unlike siding installation products, which are installed at the exterior, windows (and entry doors, for that matter) are part of both sides, and therefore can significantly affect energy efficiency.

Qualities of an ENERGY STAR-Qualified Replacement Window

Replacement windows are tested for certain qualities, primarily insulation. Unlike the attic and exterior walls, where conventional insulation can be used, replacement windows are mostly made of glass, which happens to be a naturally-conductive material. To qualify for ENERGY STAR, a replacement window must feature double or triple-pane glass. Eliminating contact between interior and exterior surfaces reduce conductivity. Combined with insulated window frames and additional features such as insulating gas and spectrally-selective coatings, a replacement window can meet or exceed the criteria for ENERGY STAR qualification.

Colonial Remodeling, LLC is your number one provider ENERGY STAR®-qualified replacement windows and James Hardie siding. Give us a call at (703) 822-7222 or fill out our contact form. We serve clients in Arlington, VA, and other surrounding areas.