Guest Columnist Dowd Discusses Installing Energy Efficient Windows

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is concerned with energy performance rating and certification programs for windows, doors, and skylights, otherwise known as fenestration products.

While NFRC focuses on educating the public about these activities and programs, we also recognize that once we have assisted consumers in choosing products to improve energy efficiency, many of them still have questions about installing the products.

NFRC does not recommend or endorse any products, retailers, or installation companies. Nevertheless, we are pleased to welcome comments from Dean Dowd at NFRC member company, CalFinder. Here Dean provides consumers of energy efficient windows with some peripheral insight.

By Dean Dowd

Working with Your Contractor to Ensure a Successful Window Installation

Installing new, energy-efficient windows not only increases your home’s resale value, it also reduces your heating and cooling bills. But choosing the right contractor—and then working with them throughout the installation—can sometimes be a real chore. Consider the following tips that any homeowner looking to replace their windows should know before hiring and working with a contractor.

Choosing the Right Contractor—Your 5-Step Checklist

1. To get an accurate estimate, collect information about your existing windows. Take pictures, get measurements, and ascertain the basic condition of the frames.

2. Obtain at least three bids in writing, and remember, do not always assume that the lowest bidder will be just as good as the next guy—it could go either way. Paying a little more to get a better contractor is often worth the added expense.

3. Most states have some form of licensing bureau, so it’s best to check with them to make sure your contractor has the right licenses or permits. In addition, you can check other credentials, like memberships with the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA).

4. Demand references, check your local BBB office, and find out from previous clients if they were completely satisfied and that the work began and ended punctually.

5. Also demand proof from the contractor that he is fully insured and bonded. Any good contractor should have a minimum of liability and workers-compensation insurance, as well as some sort of waiver of liability in case the contractor does not pay his own bills.

Selected a Contractor and Ready to Go?

Once you’ve done your homework and found the perfect contractor, the single most important thing to do is to get a contract written and signed. Any sound construction contract will include, at a minimum:

• The contractor or business's full name, address (never accept only a P/O box), and applicable phone numbers—especially that of the lead person(s).

• License number if applicable in your locale.

• A comprehensive ‘blueprint’ of the window installation/replacement process, the materials needed and the contractor’s guarantee on quality of materials and workmanship.

• Charges: This fundamental component should detail the expected cost, e.g. hours billable and cost of materials.

Additionally, do not let a contractor charge you more than 15% of the total cost before starting work. Homeowners sometimes elect to pay somewhere around 30% at the midpoint and the remainder upon completion of installation.

Guest Blogger, Dowd, Discusses Common Misconceptions about Window Technology

Dean Dowd is the Chief Technology Officer for NFRC member company, CalFinder. This week, Dowd picks up where he left off, providing additional thoughts on understanding energy efficient windows.

By Dean Dowd

There are many misconceptions, not to mention all-out, baseless myths—about replacement windows and their performance. So, without further adieu, let's get to debunking and shed some light on the matter.

Four Common Window and Window Replacement Myths

1. Installing highly energy efficient windows will save you hundreds of dollars per month or year.

Some claims regarding the amount of money one can save are exaggerated. Say, for instance, that you buy and install a brand-new window with the highest energy-efficiency ratings (U-Factor of about 0.18 and an AL of <0.3 cfm/sq ft, for example) for an average cost of $130 plus installation. While the resale value of your home definitely goes up and you'll likely experience less heat gain in the summer and more in the winter, your return on investment (ROI) will be very minimal for several months, and it will take at least a year or two to recoup the cost of the window and installation.

It is best to think of your investment in windows as producing a return over time rather than right away.

2. Replacing an older single-pane window with a double-pane, double-glazed one will always raise energy efficiency and lower heating and cooling bills

The lines are a little blurry on this idea. In a perfect scenario, yes, double-pane glass will be significantly more energy efficient than older, single-paned ones, especially if the latter is poorly sealed. However, even double (or triple) pane windows can be just as energy-robbing as old windows if the sashes and frame are incorrectly installed, and/or the window edging is improperly fit to the structural frame (even if it's only off by a centimeter).

3. In the event of a tornado, opening a window or two will help balance the pressure inside the house when the ultra-low pressures inside a tornado hit, thus preventing the explosion (or implosion) of the house.

The physics of this one are actually pretty sound in theory, but with one major problem: in the real world, a tornado's raging, 100-mph-outer-winds will annihilate virtually anything in their path, so you'd be very fortunate to reach that point in a tornado (to that theoretical point of ultra-low pressure near the center) without your entire house being ripped off its foundation first. Therefore, it's completely nonsense.

4. Simply placing newspaper, a towel, or other 'insulating' material between the frames will solve the problem of old, drafty windows.

This "theory" is probably the easiest one here to quickly dispel. Using household items such as duct tape, towels, newspaper, or—the worst idea ever but one that's too frequently seen—aluminum or tin foil, may provide very short-term relief from heat gain or loss, but is ultimately just a band-aid that will eventually have to be replaced with a professionally-made and engineered window, as even half-good window manufacturers sell.

We hope this has helped clear up some of the most often-repeated myths about window technology. If you have any more questions or myths to debunk, just let us know in the comments below.

Guest Columnist, Dowd, Explains Window Ratings

Dean Dowd is the Chief Technology Officer for NFRC member company, CalFinder. This month, Dowd offers the first part in a series dedicated to understanding energy efficiency.

By Dean Dowd

Understanding Energy Efficient Windows

Energy efficiency ratings reveal the differences between high performing and low performing windows, and yet few consumers actually understand them. Let’s break it down, once and for all, and help you choose the best windows or doors for your money. In general, energy efficient products are those that consume less energy but offer an equal (or even better) level of usefulness. Many items around the home can be either energy efficient or energy draining.

Examples include the following:

• Windows
• Skylights
• Doors
• General appliances
• Electronics and more

What Do The Numbers on the NFRC Label Stand For?
One of the most common questions consumers ask is, "What is fenestration?" Fenestration is defined as any opening in a building's envelope, including windows, doors, and skylights.

Take a look at this sample NFRC label (left). Notice the visible transmittance rating (VT), wind permeability (AL), U-Factor, and SHGC ratings. Not all manufacturers use all of these ratings supplied by the NFRC. But many of them, especially ENERGY-STAR-labeled products, do.

• The U-factor: this is a measure of how well a product prevents heat from escaping from a home or building. The U-Factor starts at around 0.19 (the most insulating) and tops out around 1.25 (the least insulating). The lower the number, the better the product retains heat.

• Air Leakage: AL measures how much outside air comes into a home or building through a fenestration product. The measure of air is expressed in cubic feet of air per every square foot (cfm/sq ft). Old, outdated windows typically have high air leakage. Therefore, old windows have a very high AL value, while new, energy-efficient ones have low and ultra-low AL ratings (0.2-0.4 is ideal).
 
• Visible Transmittance: VT measures how much visible light comes through a product. In other words, it is a central measurement of how much light permeates a material, or in this case, glass. Ratings are between 0 and 1, and of course, the lower the number, the less light that enters the home.

• SHGC: The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (0 to 1) rates how much radiant heat from sunlight is allowed to pass through your window. The lower the number, the less sunlight entering your home. A lower number will be great in the summer, but on the flip side might prove undesirable in especially-frigid winters and climates.

• CR: Condensation Residence is how well a window guards against condensation in the cracks and sills. A window that blocks the most moisture buildup will have a high CR rating, and those with less protection will maintain a lower CR.

Which Kind of Window is Most Efficient for My Home?

A double-pane, argon-filled, Low-E (emissivity) window is an example of a cost-efficient way to provide improved energy efficiency. Although they’re present in most new homes, ultra energy-efficient replacement windows (and other products) can equally benefit older homes in terms of efficiency and monthly utility bills.

In Summary

Energy efficient appliances and fixtures:

• Reduce energy costs

• Help the environment and lessen the greenhouse gas problem

• Can work side-by-side with renewable energy sources (solar, wind, etc.)• Can be found in new/replacement windows

What Exactly Does NFRC Do?

It's important to know that NFRC certifies the energy performance of fenestration products. NFRC does not sell windows nor does it endorse any manufacturer, retailer, or installer. As a third-party, independent certification organization, NFRC provides the energy performance information consumers need to make better decisions about the products they purchase.

NFRC's certification and labeling program is voluntary, so you may not see the NFRC label on every product.

So What do You Think?

Are you in the market for new windows, doors, or skylights? Have you seen the NFRC label? Did you understand how to read it and what the values meant? How can NFRC help make you a more informed consumer?

Get in touch with us in the comments below.

If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger, please contact Tom Herron, NFRC's Communications and Marketing Manager.

Engaging the Silent Majority – Members who Don’t Participate

By Jim Benney

One of the pivotal benefits the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) offers its members is a voice and a vote, and we strongly encourage our entire membership to exercise this benefit to its fullest.

Your voice provides this organization with the benefit of your opinion and expertise; and your vote helps to ensure our standing as a “consensus” organization; as well as assuring that programs and standards being developed continue to support the goals and mission of NFRC.

Unfortunately, not all of our members take advantage of the opportunity to participate in how our ratings are developed and the impact they can have on market transformation and energy efficiency.

Maybe some members don’t participate in our consensus-based process because they feel like they can’t truly make a difference. Ironically though, a lack of participation can bring unintended consequences that adversely affect our entire organization. Looking at the big picture reveals why every opinion, every idea, and every vote matters to NFRC.

Lack of participation adversely impacts fellow members. Those who choose not to participate in the development of NFRC’s ratings deprive others of alternative ideas and unique insight that could have influenced voting.

Members who choose not to participate also adversely impact themselves. They miss valuable networking opportunities to influence industry leaders who shape the future of NFRC standards.
They miss opportunities to develop a reputation as an industry expert among their peers and forego the chance to solidify their credibility with potential customers.

Possibly worst of all, lack of participation limits everyone’s growth, including NFRC itself. We can only improve the positive impact our ratings have on the industry and the world through the practical application of the vast and exceptional knowledge our members possess.

NFRC members have access to the brightest minds in the fenestration industry, and we
encourage frequent interaction and relationship building to create new opportunities.

With so many positive benefits to gained, how can NFRC encourage more participation? How can NFRC facilitate more interaction among members, and what kind of rewards would motivate them to share their knowledge with professionals who rely on new ideas to succeed?

NFRC and Daylighting Ratings

By Jim Benney

By providing independent and accurate daylighting ratings, NFRC could offer a more complete picture of the vital role fenestration plays in buildings. One of the most well-known roles fenestration plays is reducing electricity consumption associated with indoor lighting.

A lesser-known and perhaps equally important role, however, is the profound effect daylighting has on worker productivity.

While daylighting has been shown to benefit many areas of human health and performance, one of the most notable areas is worker productivity.

In fact, studies conducted by the Heschong Mahone Group (HMG), a California consulting firm, show a strong correlation between daylighting and improved productivity.

Some of HMG’s specific findings include the following:

• Office workers exposed to the most daylight consistently reported a higher level of concentration and better short-term memory recall
• Workers in the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s customer service call center processed calls 7 percent to 12 percent faster when they had the best possible view, versus those with no view 
• Computer programmers exposed to daylight spent 15 percent more time on their primary task, while equivalent workers without exposure to daylight spent 15 percent more time talking on the phone or to one another

Making optimal use of daylighting to bring out the best in office workers is an initiative well worth pursuing. Even small improvements in productivity can add up to big benefits over time.

The bigger question is – how do we quantify these benefits? Energy savings through daylighting is one thing, but what about productivity, comfort, and health? How can we help to evaluate these criteria and offer a metric to building owner, the code community and/or LEED?

Jim Benney is the National Fenestration Rating Council’s chief executive officer. He has been involved in developing product and performance standards for the window and glass industry for more than 20 years. He can be reached at jbenney@nfrc.org.

Taxpayers Should Check Eligibility Requirements for 2010 Energy Credits

An article posted on Bloomberg online cautions taxpayers to pay careful attention to the specific eligibility requirements for certain credits for 2010.

One of those mentioned is the energy efficiency tax credit. The article points out that taxpayers who purchased energy-efficient windows may only take this credit if the product(s) were installed by December 31, 2010.

Those who meet this requirement may qualify for a credit of 30 percent, or a maximum $1,500.

Full Article

Desire for More Energy Efficient Products Seen Driving Demand for Vinyl Windows to 141 Million Units by 2015

An online article published by Yahoo says the market research firm, Global Industry Analysts, is reporting that worldwide demand for vinyl windows will exceed 141 million units by 2015.

According to the report, one of the reasons for the growth in demand is the enhanced energy efficiency vinyl windows provide, particularly as environmental concerns become more prevalent and world and governments stipulate the use of energy efficiency of windows.

Demand is expected to increase for both new construction and retrofit projects.

Specific factors driving demand include the proliferation of new construction in developing countries and first-time home builders seeking products that are both economical and thermally effective.

Read the full story here.