The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with protecting human health and the environment – including homeowner products and emission standards. The EPA is responsible for enforcing the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule to monitor homes and buildings before 1978 are required to be certified.
Since then, there’s been an ongoing effort for the EPA to monitor window and door manufacturers, according to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), vinyl windows comprise about 69% of prime windows in the U.S. Having durable, energy efficient windows can provide tax credit opportunities based on how the EPA regulates windows.
Let’s dive into these, and also learn why energy efficient windows are more important than ever:
Your Windows, Your Energy
Your house’s windows are its eyes – they shape the way the entire structure looks, not to mention the transfer of heat and energy. You could be losing valuable energy through your home’s windows if they’re made of insufficient materials.
That said, the secret to reduced heat transfer comes from quality frame materials that are durable and low-maintenance. This, coupled with enhanced insulation, has the power to help you qualify for energy efficient labeling and benefits on your aluminum and vinyl windows.
To truly take advantage of this, you need to understand how it is that the EPA regulates residential windows – it does so specifically using two main sources: The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and ENERGY STAR.
Equivalent Energy Performance
Achieving equivalent energy performance is no easy feat. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR seal, windows must have, as dictated by the EPA:
- An NFRC certified U-Factor, or the heat transfer per time per area and per degree of temperature difference
- Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), or the ratio of the solar heat gain entering the space through the fenestration product to the incident solar radiation, ratings at levels that meet or exceed the equivalent energy performance criteria
If you’re wondering what your specific climate restrictions are, which are categorized in North, North-Central, South-Central, and South, you can check by zip code on ENERGY STAR’s website here.
It’s not just equivalent energy performance requirements, either – there’s also air leakage and window performance criteria.
Air Leakage Requirements
The amount of air flowing in and out of a space – especially when compared to indoor and outdoor temperature environments – can affect a window’s performance metrics. It’s one of the things ENERGY STAR seeks when qualifying window products for its updated product specifications.
Window products must meet or exceed the requirements of a ≤ 0.3 cfm/ft2 rating.
Windows Performance Criteria
Based on your climate zone and ratings from the NFRC, performance metrics and qualifications will vary. Be sure to check the last page of this official document from ENERGY STAR to see the qualifications and their affiliated U-factor and SHGC ratings.
Choosing the Right Windows
The path to energy efficient windows is paved with complex regulations and restrictions from the EPA, but it’s all in an effort to improve the quality, energy efficiency, and safety for all homes.
Be sure to select the right window package options for you – including framing materials and glass– that will provide the most savings and best performance for your home.
If you want more information about EPA regulations and energy efficiency, , check out our EPA guide here!
