The 79-year-old Empire State Building is in the midst of a $550 million renovation project, and this includes approximately $100 million in energy-efficient upgrades. In fact, all of the building’s 6,514 windows are being upgraded -- one-by-one.
The old, inefficient windows are being turned into super-insulating units. The specific work being performed involves combining the existing panes with a mixture of inert gases and film. Ultimately, the finished product is a window that is 250 percent to 400 percent more energy efficient than the windows they replace.
The replacement window technique uses something called a “suspended film system.” This technique breaks up the convection current between the inside and outside of a building. In other words, heat enters the building through the windows on hot days when the air-conditioning is running, and warm air from inside has a harder time leaking out when it’s cold outside.
Project Details
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
SHGC Important Factor in Making Replacement Window Choices
According to the Article Company, searching for the right replacement windows can be challenging, and considering the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is one factor that can help consumers find the windows that will best suit their needs.
The Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC) describes SHGC on its Website as the fraction of incident solar radiation admitted through a window, both directly transmitted and absorbed and subsequently released inward. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window's solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits.
EWC goes on to explain that SHGC measures how well a window prevents heat from entering your house. It includes the heat directly transmitted through the window, as well as the heat that is absorbed by the window and later transmitted into the home. Basically, it measures a window's shading ability.
Details
The Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC) describes SHGC on its Website as the fraction of incident solar radiation admitted through a window, both directly transmitted and absorbed and subsequently released inward. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window's solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits.
EWC goes on to explain that SHGC measures how well a window prevents heat from entering your house. It includes the heat directly transmitted through the window, as well as the heat that is absorbed by the window and later transmitted into the home. Basically, it measures a window's shading ability.
Details
Monday, August 9, 2010
Upcoming EERE Webinar to Discuss National Guidelines for Residential Retrofits
According to a progress alert on The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Website, an upcoming Webinar will explain an initiative aimed at developing national guidelines for residential energy efficiency retrofits.
The Webinar, scheduled for Wednesday, August 11, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. (EDT) is entitled, "National Residential Retrofit Guidelines: Updates & Opportunities for Weatherization and Residential Retrofit Stakeholders." The speaker will be Benjamin Goldstein, project lead for the National Residential Retrofit Guidelines at EERE.
The primary focus of the Webinar will be on how the proposed guidelines can improve the quality of weatherization services, assist training providers in developing industry-recognized course content, and improve the careers of weatherization and residential energy efficiency retrofit workers.
The EERE is presenting the Webinar free of charge, but registration is required.
The Webinar, scheduled for Wednesday, August 11, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. (EDT) is entitled, "National Residential Retrofit Guidelines: Updates & Opportunities for Weatherization and Residential Retrofit Stakeholders." The speaker will be Benjamin Goldstein, project lead for the National Residential Retrofit Guidelines at EERE.
The primary focus of the Webinar will be on how the proposed guidelines can improve the quality of weatherization services, assist training providers in developing industry-recognized course content, and improve the careers of weatherization and residential energy efficiency retrofit workers.
The EERE is presenting the Webinar free of charge, but registration is required.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Energy Efficient Home In West Michigan to be Featured on NBC's "Today Show"
The Website, MLive.com, is running an online article about a unique West Michigan home that will soon be propelled into the national spotlight.
The Jungslagers' energy-efficient home caught the attention of NBC's "Today Show" producers, who will feature the property, which is for sale, in a weekly segment on real estate bargains around the country. The segment will air on August 13.
What is unique about this home is that retired engineer, Frans Jungslager, had a vision to design a "green" themed or environmentally friendly and energy-efficient home. He has succeeded and his home was given a five star-plus ENERGY STAR rating -- the highest available. The ENERGY STAR rating guidelines include properly installed high performance windows.
The Jungslagers' energy-efficient home caught the attention of NBC's "Today Show" producers, who will feature the property, which is for sale, in a weekly segment on real estate bargains around the country. The segment will air on August 13.
What is unique about this home is that retired engineer, Frans Jungslager, had a vision to design a "green" themed or environmentally friendly and energy-efficient home. He has succeeded and his home was given a five star-plus ENERGY STAR rating -- the highest available. The ENERGY STAR rating guidelines include properly installed high performance windows.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
NFRC Certified Window Films Eligible for Tax Credits
According to an online article by Window Film Magazine, the House of Representatives, in May, passed legislation offering rebates to homeowners who install energy-saving products, including window film. Now the Senate may follow suit.
One way homeowners can qualify for the rebates is to have window film installed on at least eight exterior doors, windows, or skylights. Additionally, the films must be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
The films must also have a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.43 or less with a visible light-to-solar heat gain coefficient of at least 1.1 for installations in 2009 International Energy Conservation Code climate zones 1-3; or a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.43 or less with a visible light light-to-solar heat gain coefficient of at least 1.1 and a U-factor of 0.40 or less as installed in 2009 International Energy Conservation Code climate zones 4-8.
Details
One way homeowners can qualify for the rebates is to have window film installed on at least eight exterior doors, windows, or skylights. Additionally, the films must be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
The films must also have a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.43 or less with a visible light-to-solar heat gain coefficient of at least 1.1 for installations in 2009 International Energy Conservation Code climate zones 1-3; or a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.43 or less with a visible light light-to-solar heat gain coefficient of at least 1.1 and a U-factor of 0.40 or less as installed in 2009 International Energy Conservation Code climate zones 4-8.
Details
Window Frames Can Contribute to Energy Efficiency
An online article posted on the Website www.doityourself.com, explains that lowering heating and cooling costs can be greatly influenced by choosing window frames that are energy efficient.
The article says that the most widely used frames are not necessarily the best ones under all circumstances.
Consumers have a number of frames to choose from, and each one serves a specific purpose. The kinds of frames available include aluminum, wood, aluminum clad, clad-fiberglass, and vinyl.
Learn more about each one of these frames here.
The article says that the most widely used frames are not necessarily the best ones under all circumstances.
Consumers have a number of frames to choose from, and each one serves a specific purpose. The kinds of frames available include aluminum, wood, aluminum clad, clad-fiberglass, and vinyl.
Learn more about each one of these frames here.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
NFRC Announces New Training Sessions
The NFRC is excited to announce three upcoming ACE/CMAST training sessions.
October 8, 2010 – Online Virtual Training for General CMAST Users and those individuals interested in becoming an Approved Calculation Entity (ACE).
November 11, 2010 – In Person Training for General CMAST Users and those individuals interested in becoming an Approved Calculation Entity (ACE) to be held in conjunction with our Fall Membership Meeting in San Francisco, CA.
December 10, 2010 - Online Virtual Training for General CMAST Users and those individuals interested in becoming an Approved Calculation Entity (ACE).
Please visit the CMA training page on the NFRC website (http://www.nfrc.org/CMA-Training-Page.aspx) for registration information as it becomes available. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
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