INSULATION & PERFORMANCE

INSULATION & PERFORMANCE

The new Energy Star specifications effective January 1, 2020 are much more stringent, the approval of a product is now reserved for the top 20% of the most energy efficient products sold in Canada.

A product that does not meet the new ENERGY STAR criteria will not be a poor quality window, it will simply no longer be part of the top 20% of the most energy efficient products on the market. Triple thermoses, products without tiles or false crosspieces and fixed products are therefore favored by the new standard.

Finally, there is only one climate zone for all of Canada after January 2020 (instead of 3) and only products that meet the Climate Zone specifications.

Energy efficiency: R-value, U-factor and EP rating

Product

Maximum U-factor W/m² (Btu/h*pi²*F)

Minimum energy performance (EP)

Doors and windows

1.22 (0.21)

Minimum values for meeting the new Energy Star requirements.

To help you make an informed decision, here are the characteristics that ensure that a window provides good insulation:

R-value

This designates the insulating properties or thermal resistance of a material or product. The higher the rating, the better insulation the product provides.

U-factor

As an indicator of the resistance to temperature fluctuations, the U-factor is, in fact, the inverse of the R-value. You should look for the lowest possible number.

EP rating

The EP (energy performance) rating is calculated using a formula that establishes a balance between a product’s U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and air leakage. The higher the EP rating, the more energy efficient the product will be.