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Energy Star
The
homeowner or a hired fenestration contractor typically replaces a fenestration
product in a home. A simple replacement project typically does not involve a
building permit so the homeowner is not constrained by a local energy code. The
homeowner, however, may be interested in obtaining a fenestration product with
good energy performance. Several resources are available for consumers to
educate themselves on fenestration energy performance.
The US Environmental Protection Agency and The US Department of Energy
administer a voluntary program identifying the most energy efficient residential
products. The program, ENERGY STAR,
includes residential windows. The ENERGY
STAR Residential Fenestration program helps a consumer identify energy
efficient window. Use this site when shopping for replacement windows.
In May 2005, the US DOE amended the ENERGY
STAR fenestration qualifying criteria. Click this link to learn more:
ENERGY STAR Fenestration Qualifying Criteria Amendment
For a list of fenestration
rebates throughout the US, click on the link to below to learn if any are
available at your location:
NEW Residential Window Tax
Credit
Section 1333 of the 2005 Federal Energy Bill creates a tax credit for purchasers
of energy-efficient residential energy property. The credit is equal to the sum
of 10 percent of the cost of the residential energy-efficient improvements, and
the cost of residential energy-efficient property expenditures, as detailed
below, with a lifetime cap of $500 per taxpayer. No more than $200 of the
credit can come from the purchase and installation of windows. Also, for any
given year, no more than $50 can come from the purchase of an advanced main air
circulating fan, no more than $150 from the purchase of a furnace or boiler, and
no more than $300 from any item of an energy-efficient building property. These
credits will be available starting January 1, 2006 and will expire January 1,
2008.
The Alliance to Save Energy has an excellent fenestration
education program called the
Efficient Windows Collaborative. This program educates the consumer on
energy efficient windows. If you are looking for fenestration products with a
“good energy rating” for your location, use this program to learn about energy
efficient windows and select recommendation on the best energy performance
ratings. The Efficient Windows Collaborative also references the ENERGY STAR
program.
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