Glass Designed For Zone 5

Energy Star's proposed standards for upcoming years have added two more zones to the United States. The northern most zone is zone 5 which includes Minneapolis, St. Paul, Fargo, Green Bay, and many others. It is also the zone where u-factor is the most important rating you will see on the NFRC label.

What is the NFRC label? It is the label on every manufacturer's window that reports the independent test rating of five major components. Heat loss is the term most often tied to u-factor and that is really a function of the glass used in manufacturing the replacement window. Now you see why I say that u-factor is most important in zone 5.

When Energy Star published their proposed standards for upcoming years they made it clear that they want the Energy Star logo to mean something on windows. They are setting much higher and harder to achieve energy efficiency standards.

EnergyMaxx10 glass is the heart of what makes the Preservation Window the most energy efficient window on the market. EnergyMaxx10 has a number of key components that make it so energy efficient. It has the SST spacer system, krypton gas, two gas-filled chambers, and one inch of total glass space.

The SST spacer system is the heart of 'warm edge technology'. The specifications for the SST system clearly show why but here is the short list.

• Exclusive, patented tru warm edge.
• Patented double seal system.
• 54% more thermally efficient than windows made with conventional spacers.
• 950 times less conductive than aluminum spacers.
• 85 times less conductive than stainless steel spacers.
• Krypton gas has more than two and half times as much insulating value as argon.
• The chambers are larger than other glass types.

There are a few of the reasons for those of you in Zone 5 to go with Preservation Windows with EnergyMaxx10 glass.

Vinyl Clad Wood vs. Insulated Vinyl Windows

The Efficient Windows Collaborative recently had an article that compared the various types of replacement windows. Their rankings of window types was very interesting, especially when they compared energy efficiency.

The only glass pack that rated above average was the triple pane, low e, insulated vinyl replacement window. The reason I bring this to your attention is simple. That rules out any of the windows manufactured by the "Big Three" window makers. Yes that includes Renewal By Andersen.

If you've read my stuff before you probably see that I have about four favorite windows and they are all vinyl. Preservation Windows stand out from the crowd though. When you start looking at replacement window products start with Preservation Windows and compare the features. You'll see what I mean!