Rob at Markey Home Remodeling in Bridgewater, NJ demonstrates the easy and correct way to fix a double hung vinyl window that popped out of its sash or frame.
New Energy Star Specifications
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its final draft of the Version 6.0 specification for Energy Star windows and doors. Among the changes in the latest proposal is a revised implementation date, with the new standards now set to take effect January 1, 2015, instead of early 2014, as previously planned. The draft maintains a 0.27 U-factor maximum for windows in the Northern climate zone. This is an increase from the previous U-factor maximum of 0.30. The latest version of the criteria also includes air leakage labeling requirements, revised to allow existing certification labels in lieu of including an air leakage value on the National Fenestration Rating Council temporary label. The majority of windows manufacturers do not currently list or label their window’s air infiltration rating due to poor to average performance in this area. The air infiltration maximum will remain at less than or equal to 0.30 cubic feet of air per minute for double hung windows. When shopping for replacement windows we encourage consumers to inquire about a windows’ U-factor and air infiltration rating in order to understand the quality of the product they are buying.
The OKNA 800 window already exceeds the January 1, 2015 mandate by offering a 0.26 U-factor for double pane glass. In addition to an already excellent U-factor, the OKNA 800 has an air infiltration rating of 0.01, which is approximately 3000% better than the industry minimum. The industry average for air infiltration is 0.20 which is why many companies to not post their rating. Meanwhile, air leakage accounts for 25-40% of the energy used for heating and cooling in a typical home, according to test results from AAMA.
Benefits of the OKNA 800 Replacement Window
The OKNA Enviro Star 800 Series window offers top of the line energy efficient features along with a sleek frame design that will look beautiful in any home while providing exceptional energy savings.
Some of the feature and benefits include:
- Full 3 1/4″ Depth Welded Mainframe with foam-filled frame and sash
- Full integral interlock along the meeting rail with triple weather stripping
- Heatseal warm edge spacer system – for excellent protection against the transfer of cold from outside to inside pane of glass
- Elegant, beveled profile gives the window the traditional look and feel of wood windows with the performance and ease of maintenance of a vinyl window
- Leads the industry with a 0.01 Air Infiltration rating – 3000% better than the industry minimum standard (Air leakage can account for 25%-40%of the energy used for heating and cooling a typical home)
- 11-coat Climaguard Low-E coating
- Magnetic weather-stripping, similar to those used in refrigerators, eliminates drafts and greatly improves the thermal performance of the windows
- High density composite reinforcement bar along the center meeting rail give the windows outstanding structural performance
How to read a nfrc window label
Vinyl windows are the most frequently installed replacement window in the U.S. And fortunately for consumers all vinyl replacement windows come with a rating label that helps a person determine how efficient a window can be.
How to Read/Interpret Vinyl Windows Ratings
Become familiar with the components of the window label and write down the ratings appropriate for your area before shopping. Here’s what to look for:
- U-factor. This is how much heat/cold transfers through the entire window frame (glass and vinyl). The lower the U-factor, the better the window resists heat/cold transfer. Vinyl windows with gaps in the framework (i.e. mechanical frames) will have a higher U-factor than a fusion welded window.
- SHGC–Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. The SHGC is the ability of the window to block the sun’s heat. The more heat a window blocks, the lower vinyl windows ratings will be for heat gain.
- Visible Light Transmission. The more light that is allowed to flow through the glass, the higher this rating will be.
- Low-E glass. This glass has a transparent metallic coating that reflects heat back into the home in winter and reflects heat away from it in the summer.
- ENERGY STAR rating. An independent organization tests and rates the energy efficiency of windows. ENERGY STAR windows qualify for a tax rebate through 2013.
