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Energy Efficiency - How to recognize a good replacement window
By Joyce Dwyer
(NC)-When you plan to replace one of more of your home's windows, doing your own research can become confusing. There's so much technical information to absorb.
David Mitten, executive director of the Siding and Window Dealers Association of Canada (SAWDAC), confirms there have been many technological advancements in today's replacement windows.
A certain type of homeowner likes to do some fact finding. Other consumers would prefer not to get into the technical terminology. That's where Window Wise, a national quality assurance program administered by SAWDAC, comes in. By hiring a Window Wise certified contractor, a homeowner can be confident of getting a good quality, energy efficient window and top-notch installation - without becoming an expert.
Here are some features of energy efficient windows for the curious:
High Energy Rating - The smaller the minus number, the better the energy efficiency. Most average windows have an Energy Rating (ER) of -40. Windows approved for Window Wise installation have an ER of -10 or better for windows that open, and 0 for fixed ones, making them vastly superior to others on the market.
Low-E (Low-Emissivity) Coating - Low-E coating is a microscopically thin, metallic film on the window's glass that reflects radiant hear back to its source. Windows with Low-E glazing keep warm air in the house during the winter months and cool air inside in the summer, reducing both heating and air-conditioning costs.
Argon Gas - Typically used in tandem with Low-E coating, Argon is an inert, non-flammable, non-toxic gas that constitutes about one per cent of the air we breathe. When the space between the two panes of glass in a double-glazed window is filled with heavier Argon gas instead of air, it acts as a thermal blanket that stops the heat from escaping. An added benefit: because it filters out ultraviolet rays, Argon gas can prevent your draperies from fading.
R-value - The R-value measures the resistance of thermal transfer, or heat flow, through the window. The higher the R-value, the better. A typical R-value for the centre of a double-glazed window is R2. When Low-E and Argon gas are added, the R-value doubles to about 4, reducing the rate of heat loss by about 50 per cent.
"It really boils down to just two things that the consumer should be looking for: a good quality, tight-fitting window and a good A (air filtration) rating of two or three," says Mitten.
More information on choosing the right window is available at www.sawdac.com and www.windowise.com.
- News Canada
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Quick Tip: Energy efficient windows mean money in your pocket
(NC)-Did you know…?
The cost to heat the average Canadian home is approximately $1200 per year. Of that, industry experts say about 25 per cent - or $300 - is caused by heat loss through standard, double-paned windows. By replacing drafty, old windows with energy-efficient ones, a homeowner can save almost 60 per cent of the money that almost literally goes out the window. That's an average saving of $180 per household.
- News Canada
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Home Renovation Tips: Energy efficient windows save you money
(NC)-Windows can be responsible for high energy consumption, cold drafts, condensation and unnecessary heat loss. In fact, 20 to 30 per cent of the heat loss from your home can come from windows and the areas around them. So if you're planning a renovation project to replace your old windows, it's important to know how to get a high quality, airtight product and professional installation.
"A proper installation and a quality window dramatically reduce the possibility of drafts, leaks or ill-fitted windows, which can save homeowners a great deal of money immediately and in the long term," explains David Mitten, the executive director of the Siding and Window Manufacturers Association of Canada (SAWDAC).
"Window Shopping" Advice
Mitten cautions consumers to shop carefully because many contractors have not kept up with the latest developments in window technology. Here are some commonly asked questions and answers to help homeowners shop for replacement windows:
| Q. | Should I choose a window with a frame and sash made of wood, vinyl, fibreglass or metal? |
| A. | Each material has its strengths and weaknesses. Good quality windows can be made from any of these materials, as long as they are designed properly. Vinyl windows make up most of the replacement window market because of their low maintenance needs, energy efficiency and competitive cost. |
| Q. | How do I know if a window is energy efficient. |
| A. | There are three ways to tell if a window is energy efficient:
|
| Q. | How can I recognize a good quality window? |
| A. | Make sure the window you choose has been tested to the Canadian Standard Association's (CSA) A440 standard and has high ratings for air and water leakage, ability to withstand wind, and energy efficiency. Most manufacturers publish the air filtration (A), water penetration (B), strength/wind load (C) and energy efficiency (ER) ratings of their windows in their sales literature. |
| A. | Are the windows certified by the CSA? |
| Q. | The difference between a window tested to the CSA standard and a window certified by CSA is that a certified window has been verified by CSA to comply with test results. CSA certifies windows by actually visiting manufacturing plants. A list of CSA- certified manufacturers can be found online by going to www.sawdac.com and clicking on the CSA logo. |
| A. | Is the contractor certified by Window Wise? |
| Q. | Window Wise, a national quality assurance program administered by SAWDAC, trains and certifies contractors and window manufacturers and randomly inspects the installation of energy-efficient windows to ensure that its standards are met. |
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A Common Household Problem: How to reduce condensation on your windows
(NC)-Have you noticed condensation dripping down the insides of your windows in the winter? If so, you're not alone.
"The most frequently asked questions we get from homeowners is 'What's causing the condensation on my windows?'" says David Mitten, the executive director of the Siding and Window Dealers Association of Canada.
Over the past 30 years, many improvements have been made in the way houses are sealed and insulated. As a result, there are fewer exchanges of inside and outside air. This increases the level of relative humidity inside our homes. And during the winter months, high humidity levels homes often cause water to condense on cold windowpanes.
Baby, It's Cold Outside
"It's just like when put you ice into a drink," explains Mitten. "After a after a few minutes you'll notice the outside of the glass is covered with water droplets. Condensation always forms on a cold surface. So the key is to warm up the inside of your windows. The colder the outside of the window gets, the less relative humidity you can have indoors and still have dry windows."
Mitten says there are two things you can do to remedy a condensation problem:
1. Install new windows that are more energy efficient, will fit more tightly and have warmer glazing than your existing ones, or
2. Reduce the relative humidity inside your house by:
-Allowing dryer outside air to enter through a slightly opened window, increasing ventilation
-Turning down your humidifier, if you have one
-Cutting down on the major sources of water vapour in the home: cooking, washing and bathing
-Buying a heat recovery ventilation unit.
To test the relative humidity in your home, buy an inexpensive humidity gauge at your local hardware store. A chart is available from SAWDAC www.sawdac.com to help you interpret the results, based on the temperature outside.
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Consumer Advice: Choosing a qualified window contractor is important
(NC)-If you're thinking of replacing your home's windows, your first step might be to look in the phone book, talk to your neighbours or ask one or more contractors to give you a quote.
But buyer beware. According to David Mitten, the executive director of the Siding and Window Dealers Association of Canada (SAWDAC), choosing the right contractor may be more important than selecting the right window. "Every day homeowners call us with stories about incompetent contractors who won't answer their phones or won't come back to repair a leaky window. Even the best quality windows won't perform if they're not installed properly."
A Word to the Wise
Where can you be sure to find a reliable contractor? One answer, suggests Mitten, is through Window Wise, a national certification program established in 1998 that independently approves and audits windows, installations and contractors, as well as providing a five-year unconditional guarantee.
All certified Window Wise dealers and installers undergo a training program to ensure they are qualified to meet the program's 25 key points for every installation. All installations are registered with Window Wise, which carries out random inspections to ensure compliance with its standards.
A Window Wise contractor is one who:
-has been in business for a minimum of three years
-has a good reputation and financial stability
-adheres to the SAWDAC code of ethics
-offers a minimum five-year workmanship guarantee
-carries a minimum of one million dollars in liability insurance, and
-employs tradesmen who have successfully completed the mandatory Window Wise installation training program and received certification.
Peace of Mind for a Small Price
Well-known contractor Jon Eakes, who appears on HGTV and The Weather Network, supports the service Window Wise provides to homeowners. "Window Wise is not a brand or a company name," Eakes says, "but rather an industry effort at quality control of windows and installers to give consumers a bit of peace of mind in a business that has 2000 window manufacturers scattered across Canada and no other trade certification for installers."
What is the cost of this peace of mind? Regardless of the number of windows installed, a Window Wise installation costs the consumer $40, which is included in the contractor's bill.
Window Wise has produced a video explaining what consumers need to know about windows and what questions to ask when buying them. From Sill to Sash is available for purchase in CD-ROM format online at www.windowise.com or by calling Window Wise at 1-800-813-9616.
- News Canada
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