|
How can Superior Windows
& Doors help you?
Our industry has awakened to the fact that we all need to
be green. There are many shades of green and more variations
popping up each month.
We are here to help you to
understand the differences and find the products that best fit
your needs and wants.
This page will be updated
often as our industry tightens it's requirements and specific
manufacturers continue to improve their product lines.
This page last updated:
Saturday May 07, 2011
What's new in Oregon and
Jackson County?
The State of Oregon has announced it's new
2008 Residential Energy Code.
What does to mean to "Go
Green"?
In general it means to live an environmentally friendly
lifestyle.
To most government agencies it means to meet
Energy Star® requirements.
What does it mean to your pocket book or wallet?
There are various "shades of green". Whether you are looking
at the different levels of energy efficiency available on our
vinyl windows or beautiful doors made from FSC certified woods
the financial impact can vary greatly.
In some building or remodeling areas going green can cost more
than yesterday’s technology.
We are lucky because we are able to offer you energy efficient
vinyl windows and fiberglass doors that do not cost more.
Vinyl windows are so
inexpensive and energy efficient that (depending on your home,
lifestyle and current tax credits) they can actually pay
for themselves in aprx 5 years. We have found that
every few years new technologies make additional energy savings
available. And although the cost for the windows goes up the payback period
remains the aprx 5 years.
Superior
Windows & Doors' standard solid core interior doors
from Masonite are made
from rapidly renewable compressed wheat straw cores that contain
no-added
formaldehyde at NO EXTRA CHARGE.
What is Energy Star?
A program sponsored by the US Department of Energy which
establishes minimum performance standards for windows to be
recognized as energy efficient.
Currently windows must have a U-Factor of .30 or lower to be
Energy Star compliant.
Note: In Oregon any door
that is more than 40% glass is considered a window when it
comes to energy performance requirements.
Download the
Energy Star PDF for all the details.
What is GREEN Building?
Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency
with which buildings and their sites use energy, water, and
materials, and reducing building impacts on human health and
the environment.
What are GREEN building materials?
The Green Building Resource Guide defines green building
materials and products as having at least one of the following
characteristics: nontoxic, recycled content, resource
efficient; long life cycle, or environmentally conscious.
IRS TAX CREDITS CHANGES EFFECTIVE
2011
Purchase new windows, doors and
skylights for your existing principal residence and take a
10% tax credit ($200 max on windows and $500 max on doors).
Qualifying products must be Energy Star
compliant.
You may deduct the above tax credit on
your 2011 federal tax return in 2012 for purchases made
before December 31 2011. There is a cap
of $500 for federal "energy" tax credits for the years
2006 through 2011. If you plan to take this tax
credit advise your Superior Windows & Doors consultant. We
will verify that you meet all requirements.
ARE OTHER REBATES AVAILABLE?
The *City of Ashland offers a rebate of
$6.00 per square foot if your windows have a
U-Factor of .30 or less. You home must have electric heat
and you must have the city perform an energy audit. You
may be required to upgrade your insulation to qualify.
Avista offers rebates too from time to
time.
If you are a customer of Pacific Power
you may qualify for a rebate of $2.25 per square foot if your windows have a U-Factor of .30 or lower.
This rebate is through the *Energy Trust of Oregon.
*There are other requirements so check to
see if you qualify.
Windows:
The following chart compares the various features of
windows (1=bad 5=great) based on the opinion of
Superior Windows & Doors. We have given equal weight
to each variable. This chart should help you to make a
choice based on the variable most important to you.
"Clad" windows have a wood
interior made from your choice of wood species.
For years vinyl has been
the material most recommended by Superior Windows & Doors
due to its low cost and relatively high energy efficiency.
For those that wanted a material with less impact on the
environment we recommended fiberglass.
In 2010 Andersen Windows
introduced a window made from their Fibrex material.
Fibrex is a result of the waste Andersen Windows generates
in their manufacturing process. Wood, vinyl and glass
is recycled and extruded into new parts to make their 100
Series window. Using Fibrex Andersen has produced a
window that is stiff like fiberglass and lacks the ugly
welded joints of vinyl with the low price of an upper-end
vinyl window.
| Material |
Price |
environment |
energy efficient |
overall |
major benefit |
| Vinyl |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
low cost |
| Fiberglass |
2 |
4 |
5 |
3.6 |
environment |
| Aluminum Clad |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2.3 |
beauty |
| Vinyl Clad |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
beauty |
| Fibrex (Andersen) |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
cost/environment |
Are vinyl windows GREEN?
The U.S. Green Building Council has determined that vinyl
windows can be used in LEED-certified projects.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green
Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark
for the design, construction, and operation of high
performance green buildings.
How Green are your windows?
|
Low-E
|
U-Factor
|
SHGC
|
VLT
|
Price
|
|
272*
|
.35
|
.30
|
.57
|
Base
|
|
272 had been standard in Low-E glass used in most windows
until 2009.
It blocks 84% of the
sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays
|
|
240*
|
.35
|
.21
|
.32
|
+ 14%
|
|
240’s low SHGC is perfect for west facing windows with hot afternoon sun.
It absorbs 60% of the visible light offering glare control and a soft muted
blue color.
|
|
366*
30/30
|
.29
|
.24
|
.52
|
+ 10%
|
|
The
30% tax credit of 2009/2010 created the need for a Low-E glass that offered
both a low SHGC and a low cost. Low-E 366 became the new standard offering the ideal balance of solar heat control and high visible light
transmittance while also blocking
95% of the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays.
With the addition of Argon Gas and Super Spacer windows
using 366 offer a true bargain in energy efficient windows.
|
|
Triple Glazed**
272-Clr-272
w/Argon
|
.22
|
.28
|
.44
|
+
45%
|
|
The latest trend in
window
energy efficient windows is the R-5 Window.
We call it the SUPER
Energy Star Window.
50% more energy efficient than a standard Energy Star window for about 35% more.
|
*Based
on an Empire Pacific 3.0 x 5.0 Single Hung vinyl window
**Based
on an Atrium Windows 3.0 x 5.0 Single Hung vinyl window
What
is U-Factor: A measure of the
heat escaping through your window to the outside of your home. The lower the number the more energy
efficient your window is.
What is SHGC: Solar Heat Gain Coefficient - A measure
of how much heat from direct sunlight is transmitted through your window. A window that has a SHGC of .31 will allow 31
percent of the sun’s heat to pass through.
What is VLT: Visible Light Transmittance
- A measure of how
much light is allowed to pass through your window. A window that has a VLT of .31 will allow 31
percent of the sun’s light to pass through.
LOWER HOME ENERGY BILLS With heating and cooling prices at
all-time highs, can you afford to select anything but
the most energy-efficient windows and doors for your
home?
Our energy efficient windows and doors are specifically designed to provide exceptional thermal performance.
Most window owners experience a significant decrease in
home energy consumption. And that means lower energy
bills.
WHAT IS LOW-E GLASS?
In warm weather Low-E
coatings reflect outside heat away from your windows
—while still allowing light in. This reduces the amount of
time your home cooling system will need to run, saving you
money and energy.
In cold weather, the Low-E coatings reflect heat back
inside—so your home stays warmer. This reduces the time
your heating system needs to run, saving you money and
energy.
Are wood windows GREEN?
Earth Advantage suggests using certified wood verified by the
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or SFI (Sustainable Forest
Initiative) while LEED certified projects require FSC woods be
used.
• The majority of Kolbe and Kolbe’s wood comes from managed
forests that embrace sustainable practices and some mills that
are currently certified by the SFI and FSC.
• Over 70% of the wood used by Andersen Windows is currently
from certified forests.
Doors:
We offer beautiful energy efficient doors in many
configurations:
-
Some are made with wood
from certified sustainable forests.
-
Some are made with
recycled remnants and veneered exteriors
-
Some are made with
fiberglass exteriors and are energy efficient foam filled
-
Some are made with
aluminum or vinyl exteriors and beautiful woods on the
interior
Are fiberglass doors GREEN?
Earth Advantage says that a fiberglass door is a better choice
than a wood door because:
• Fiberglass doors lower the pressure on wood products and the
environmental services that forests provide.
• Fiberglass doors need to be replaced less often. Durable
materials avoid the embodied energy costs of the materials
needed to replace less long-lived products.
• The foam insulation in these doors improves energy
efficiency.
How Green are your doors?
|
Door
Type |
U-Factor |
SHGC |
EarthAdvantage Compliant |
Energy
Star |
|
Fiberglass
No Glass Insert |
.14 |
.01 |
Y |
Y |
|
A
fiberglass door with no glass insert offers the best
thermal performance. |
|
Fiberglass
¼ Lite – ½” IG |
.22 |
.12 |
N
Y Steel Only |
Y |
|
Fiberglass
¼ Lite -Decorative |
.19 |
.09 |
Y |
Y |
|
A fiberglass door with a small glass
insert, such as a ½ moon pattern, will give your home more
aesthetic appeal while still having very good thermal
performance. |
|
Fiberglass
½ Lite – Decorative |
.25 |
.17 |
N |
Y |
|
Fiberglass
½ Lite – Low-E |
.25 |
.20 |
N |
Y |
|
Fiberglass
¾
Lite – Low-E |
.27 |
.24 |
N |
Y |
|
Fiberglass doors with larger
decorative glass inserts are still Energy Star compliant
and make a great first impression for your home. |
|
Fiberglass
Full Lite – Low-E |
.30 |
.30 |
N |
Y |
|
Fiberglass
Full Lite - Decorative |
.29 |
.25 |
N |
Y |
|
Simpson Fir
Full Lite – Low-E |
.32 |
.23 |
N |
N |
|
Simpson Fir
10 Lite – Low-E |
.41 |
.32 |
N |
N |
|
Although, in our opinion, nothing beats the beauty of real
wood, when it comes to the energy efficiency of your doors
you can’t beat a fiberglass door. |
What is U-Factor: A
measure of the heat escaping through your doors. The lower
the number the more energy efficient your door is. Energy
Star requires a U-Factor of .30 or lower.
What is SHGC: Solar Heat Gain Coefficient - A
measure of how much heat from direct sunlight is transmitted
through your door. A door that has a SHGC of .31 will allow
31 percent of the sun’s heat to pass through.
EarthAdvantage Requirements: All exterior doors to have a
U-Factor of .20 or lower. There is an exception for 28 sq
feet of door.
Are wood doors GREEN?
Simpson Door Company, for example, makes every attempt to use
wood from certified forests for its doors. Approximately 85%
of their resources are from one of the following:
1. A source which operates a certification program.
2. Sustained yield forests with certifications such as ISO
14001, FSC, SFI and CSA.
3. Recycled materials such as strand lumber, fiberboard and
wheat board.
Other door manufacturers we represent have varying degrees of
certified woods in their products.
Caoba Doors manufactures some of their doors using wood 100%
verified by the FSC. These beautiful doors are made from
mahogany, cherry or oak.
It's never too late to make your home
an Earth Advantage® home. No matter how old your house is,
Earth Advantage® can show you great ways to use less
energy, fewer natural resources, improve your indoor air
quality and be environmentally responsible.
Why Earth Advantage?
Builders check out the
EarthAdvantage Residential Resource Guide
Did you know…
If all residential windows
in the US were replaced with Energy Star® rated windows, the
nation would save $7 billion in energy costs over the next
15 years?
That in this area at least
15% of your energy bill can be saved with Energy Star®
qualified windows? Energy Star® labeled
windows are twice as efficient as the average window built
just 10 years ago?
A ¼” gap at the bottom of
a standard door (like the front door to your house) results
in as much energy loss as 3” x 3” hole in the wall?
Windows and doors that are
more than 10 years old can account for as much as 1/3 of the
heat loss in the average home?
Following is a list of
energy partners and agencies that can help you to save energy and
money:
|
