Industrial Manufacturing News

Traditionally homeowners focused on energy efficiency during the winter months to stay warm while reducing heating costs. However, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, nearly two-thirds of all homes in the U.S. have air conditioners today, which has caused homeowners to keep energy efficiency top of mind even during the summer months.

In the Perfect Home Survey, an independent research study commissioned by JELD-WEN, nearly a quarter of respondents do not have windows (22.6 percent) and doors (23.6 percent) that are energy efficient. Using the same percentages, roughly 13 million single-family homes in the U.S. are wasting energy resources.

Upgrading a home with energy saving products, such as energy efficient windows and doors, high efficiency air conditioners and compact fluorescent light bulbs, can return significant savings over time. According to the most recent U.S. Department of Energy studies, a typical homeowner installing Energy Star® labeled energy efficient windows can expect to realize savings ranging from $125 to $450 a year.

"Homeowners today have a wide variety of options to choose from when purchasing energy efficient windows and doors and best of all, help generate considerable savings year over year," said Brian Hedlund, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN Windows and Doors.

JELD-WEN, the world's leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors, offers these energy saving tips when it comes to selecting energy efficient windows and doors designed to beat the heat:

Select Low-E glass - In summer, the special coating on Low-E glass reduces the amount of heat entering the home, lowering cooling needs. In winter, Low-E helps keep heat in the home. Low-E glass comes standard in most JELD-WEN windows. For all vinyl, Custom and Premium Wood windows, JELD-WEN offers an upgrade to even higher-performing Low-E#366 glass that provides greater protection from solar heat gain.

Choose ENERGY STAR products - The easiest way to determine whether or not windows and doors meet the highest energy efficiency standards is to look for the Energy Star® label. This U.S. Department of Energy program can help homeowners estimate how much they will save over time when replacing poorly insulated windows and doors with Energy Star® labeled products. Depending on the climate, the savings can be considerable. JELD-WEN offers Energy Star® labeled windows and doors in a variety of materials and sizes depending on the region.

Understand industry ratings - A product's efficiency is measured in a number of ways, so it's important to base choices on industry certifications. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) conducts tests for energy efficiency based on the entire product, not just the glass. In addition to using Low-E glass, efficiency ratings are based on the following:
U-factor: The amount of heat flowing through a product. The lower the number, the more energy efficient the product is.
Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC): Indicates the ability to block heat generated by sunlight. The greater the blockage, the lower the SHGC.
Visible light transmission: The percentage of sunlight that penetrates a window or door. A higher number means more light enters through the glass.

For more information about JELD-WEN® Windows and Doors, visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.

Energy saving tips to beat the heat --
For spring and summer energy saving tips, JELD-WEN Windows & Doors offers homeowners the following advice for keeping cool:

1. Shield the sun: Draw blinds to block and reflect the sun's heat from entering the home during the day.

2. Shut out high temperatures: Close both internal and external doors to keep heat from distributing and raising temperatures throughout the house.

3. Grow your savings: Plant trees or shrubs to shade the home and air conditioning units. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, properly planting just three trees near a house can save homeowners between $100 to $250 a year in heating and cooling costs.

4. Get with the program: Use programmable thermostats to control temperatures for air conditioning and hot water heaters.

5. Air it out: Increase air circulation by cracking open windows during cooler parts of the day such as early morning or evening hours, and using portable or ceiling fans, which consume less energy as compared to central air conditioning.

6. Select the right products: Choose energy efficient windows and doors by looking for the Energy Star® label. Consider options such as JELD-WEN wood windows with phantom screens that offer energy efficient Low-E glass and an attractive built-in screen that maximizes air flow when you need it.