Saving Energy with Slocomb Windows and Doors

Slocomb windows and doors are engineered and built to meet and exceed the strictest ENERGY STAR requirements. What does ENERGY STAR certification mean? It means savings in both energy costs and environmental costs. By using NFRC rated and ENERGY STAR certified windows and doors, homeowners can experience savings on energy bills, from several hundred - up to thousands - of dollars per year.

Our windows and doors are built with the most thermally-efficient glass packages available today. Slocomb products are available with argon gas filling, warm edge Duralite insulating spacer system and low-E glass. This high-performance glass system reflects radiant heat back into your home in the winter and keeps harmful UV rays away from your home in the summer.

QUESTIONS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY

What makes a window or door energy efficient?

Numerous factors, including how the frame and sashes are engineered and built, the type of glass used (single-, double- or triple-pane), the weatherstripping, the type of low-emissivity coating on the glass and the presence of argon or krypton gas. 

What is an R-value and how important is it in selecting windows?

Although the U-value is actually the important number in evaluating windows and doors today, most people are more familiar with the related concept of R-value (or R-factor). The R-factor of a window is the measure of its resistance to the transfer of heat flow. The higher its R-value, the greater its insulating ability.

What is a U-value?

U-value (or U-factor) is the measure of the window's ability to conduct heat-in other words, the amount of heat transmitted through the window. The lower a window's U-value, the better the window is at insulating your home.

What is Low-E and, how important is it to have it on your windows or doors?

Low-E stands for low emissivity and is a fairly new advancement in glass technology. Basically, it's a microscopic, metallic coating-applied to a surface of glass-that reflects and re-radiates heat energy either into or out of a home depending on climate conditions. Using Low-E is an excellent way to increase the energy efficiency of a window. In fact, it's so effective that every Slocomb's window and door with Low-E is ENERGY STAR®-compliant in every region of the U.S.

What is ENERGY STAR ® - and what does it have to do with windows and doors?

ENERGY STAR is a U.S. government program - administered by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency with the cooperation of manufacturers that's designed to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels through the education of consumers. The program covers many different types of products. Windows and doors can only carry the ENERGY STAR label if they are tested by an independent laboratory through the NFRC program and meet specific, predetermined U-value ratings. By selecting ENERGY STAR products, you will reduce your energy costs and help make the environment cleaner.

What is the NFRC and what should I know about it?

NFRC stands for the National Fenestration Rating Council. It's a program established by the U.S. Department of Energy to help consumers compare window products and options. Window manufacturers participating in the program are required to label every window to its specific thermal performance level. Customers are then ensured that the products they select meet the requirements for their application. Participation in the NFRC program is voluntary. Not all manufacturers participate because it requires outside third party inspection and extensive product testing. Slocomb Is a participant in the NFRC program.

Does argon or krypton gas between glass panes really make a difference in energy efficiency? 

For air to insulate well, it needs to be as still as possible because moving air carries energy. Both argon and krypton are heavier than air—so they're less prone to convection or thermal movement. The bottom line is that heavier-than-air gases offer a higher level of insulation. Both argon and krypton are found naturally in the air you breathe and are completely harmless.

How important is weatherstripping?

Very. Weatherstripping is important because it provides the barrier against air and water in windows and doors. It is the only element of operating windows or doors that make them reasonably air tight. High-quality weatherstripping that's applied and compressed properly really does improve the insulating performance of windows.

What are the different types of weatherstripping, and what benefits do each have?

Although there are many different types of weatherstripping, they basically fall into one of three categories-woven piles, flaps, and hollow or foam bulbs. Which is best? That depends on the window style, design and application. Windows and doors that are expertly engineered-like Slocomb's-are designed with weatherstripping that creates the tightest possible seal and holds up to time and heavy use.

QUESTIONS ABOUT UV

Can windows keep out UV radiation that fades carpeting, furniture, draperies and upholstery?

Using a low-emissivity glass in your new windows or doors will filter more than 50 percent of the damaging UV light. The absolute most effective glass for this purpose, however, is Climaguard SPF, a new technological breakthrough in insulating glass, incorporating high performance soft coat Low E with a special coated glass that locks over 99% of harmfull ultra-violet radiation.

Efficient Windows Collaborative.

The mission of the Efficient Windows Collaborative is to lead and support — through the use of advanced window, façade and skylight technologies — the transformation of the built environment toward greater energy efficiency.

In 1989 the glazing and fenestration industry self-organized to create the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). Nine years later the Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC) was formed and since that time, market share for high performance windows has grown from roughly 30% to over 80% in the residential sector. During that growth, the EWC has been at the forefront of educating manufacturers about how to communicate the value of energy efficiency to consumers and providing performance comparisons across generic products. First incorporating NFRC labels and then ENERGY STAR for fenestration labels, the EWC has maintained a clear and consistent message regarding product performance. The purpose of the EWC is to provide unbiased information, outreach, education, and research dissemination to the general public on the energy efficiency, technical, and human considerations that influence window and façade design, selection, and use. For more information visit Efficient Windows Collaborative website.