What is ENERGY STAR® ?
The ENERGY STAR® Windows program is a voluntary partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the fenestration industry to promote sales of energy efficient windows, doors and skylights. ENERGY STAR is raising consumer awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency when purchasing fenestration products, and provides practical information to assist them in making informed buying decisions.

Why is ENERGY STAR® Important?
By choosing ENERGY STAR® labeled windows, doors and skylights, heating and cooling costs can be cut, homes can be more comfortable and air pollution is reduced all at the same time. An investment in ENERGY STAR qualifying windows will pay for itself over time, and then the savings is money in the bank every year.

ENERGY STAR® labeled windows are twice as efficient as the average windows produced just ten years ago. That means a home with ENERGY STAR windows will cost less....a lot less....to heat and cool that the same home with ten-year-old windows.

How Much Can It Help?
If all households and businesses in the U.S. bought only ENERGY STAR® labeled windows and other products instead of standard products over the next 15 years, the national energy bill would be reduced by approximately $100 billion. The reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from these purchases would be equivalent to reducing gasoline consumption by 120 billion gallons, taking 17 million cars off the road, or preserving 142 million acres of trees for the next 15 years.

Twenty percent of all energy produced in the U.S. is used to heat, cool and run our homes; another 20% is used to operate commercial and industrial buildings. Much of the energy produced in our nation comes from burning fossil fuels -- a process which adds to air pollution problems such as smog, acid rain and climate change.

How Do Windows Qualify?
All ENERGY STAR® Windows must be NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) rated, certified and labeled for both U-factor and Solar Heat Gain. Window brands must be tested by an independent laboratory. The NFRC then monitors future production with unannounced factory visits and product testing.

The program establishes four climate regions with one recommended product designation for each region.

Northern Region: Windows must have a U-factor rating of 0.35 or below.

Northern Central Region: Windows must have a U-factor rating of 0.40 or below and an SHGC of 0.55 or below.

Southern Central Region: Windows must have a U-factor rating of 0.40 or below and an SHGC of 0.40 or below.

Southern Region: Windows must have a U-factor rating of 0.65 or below and an SHGC of 0.40 or below.

Atria windows Energy Ratings.

For more information visit the ENERGY STAR® website.