ENERGY STAR®

The internationally recognized energy conservation program started by the American government.

Energy Star Usa Hero Bg

The internationally recognized energy conservation program started by the American government.

ENERGY STAR - helping US consumers make the
right choice in energy efficient skylights

Energy Star Boxed EnglishThe ENERGY STAR was created by the US government in 1992 to promote energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions.

 

United States FlagENERGY STAR has helped American families and businesses save 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.

How to read Columbia’s ENERGY STAR qualification label

Here is a guide on how to read the ENERGY STAR label so you are able to choose the most energy efficient products for you and your family. On the label are the product ratings and how your skylight performed during testing. Columbia uses the Canadian version of the label on all products it ships across North America. Canada’s standards are more stringent than the US, so you are getting a higher rated product.

 

Energy Star Label

  1. Look for the official ENERGY STAR logo.
  2. Canada only has one region.
  3. Official NFRC Certification. Assurance that you product has been tested.
  4. Product manufacturer, name and description.
  5. U-Value and
    Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rating. The lower the better.
  6. Visible Transmittance rating.
  7. Manufacturers confirmation that the data is accurate.

The performance rating explained

  • ENERGY STAR uses a number of criteria to evaluate the energy efficiency of a skylight. They are reviewed below.
  • All of these performance criteria have a different impact on your skylights energy efficiency and work in unison.

U Value Degree Of Heat Loss

U-Value – Degree of Heat Loss
  • U-Value is the measure of the insulating characteristics of the glass, or how much heat flow or heat loss occurs through the glass due to the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.
  • How quickly heat from hot air (not direct sunlight) will pass through the glass.
  • U-Values generally range from 0.1 (very little heat loss) to 1.0 (high heat loss) BTU/h∙ft2F. The lower the U-Value the better the insulation.
  • ENERGY STAR utilizes U-Value to determine certification.
  • Some ways to improve U-Values:
    • Use double or triple glazed glass units.
    • Argon gas in the cavity between panes of glass.
    • Optimize the cavity size between panes of glass.
    • Warm-edge spacers that create an effective thermal barrier.
    • Use LoE3 coatings (coatings can be used on more than one surface).

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient Shgc

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, SHGC
  • Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is the amount of solar radiation passing through a skylight — either transmitted directly and/or absorbed, and subsequently released as heat inside a home.
  • The amount of Solar Heat Gain is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a skylight’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, the less solar heat is transmitted.
  • Objects (such as glass) impacted by sunlight absorb its visible and short-wave infrared components, increase in temperature, and then re-radiate that heat at longer infrared wavelengths.
  • Solar gain is used as a standard way of reporting the thermal properties of skylight and window assemblies

Visible Transmittance Vt

Visible Transmittance, VT
  • Visible Transmittance is the amount of light in the visible portion of the light spectrum that passes through the glass and into your home.
  • VT – expressed as a number from 0 to 1. The higher the number, the greater the amount of light that is passing through the glass.
  • High-performance skylights with LoE3 coatings can allow relatively high amounts of visible light to pass through the glass while repelling the solar heat gain – the more solar heat gain being filtered out, the less light transmittance.
  • Some examples:
    • VT .5 would be 50% of the light is entering the home.
    • VT .80 would be 80% of the light is entering the home.

ENERGY STAR, part of a complete sustainable home system

Using ENERGY STAR certified products can turn your home into an energy saving system. By choosing skylights, windows, and doors with the superior energy rating you create a consistent barrier against energy loss and are able to regulate the interior climate – increasing your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.

  • It is important to utilize all the components of your house in the battle against energy loss, such as insulating the walls and roof with the latest ENERGY STAR® rated materials.
  • Venting skylights can naturally cool your home in the summer by releasing hot air that has collected in your living space, reducing your reliance on air conditioning.

Choose ENERGY STAR certified skylights, doors, windows - and the materials that make up your building envelope

Energy Efficient Home Windows Skylights And Insulation

For maximum energy efficiency don’t mix double and triple glazing, and properly insulate your walls and ceilings

  • When specifying your renovation or new build it is not recommended to try and save money by not using the same rating of ENERGY STAR glazing throughout the home.
  • If you investing in triple glazing, it is optimal to use it for all skylights, windows, and doors. Creating a consistent barrier against energy loss.
  • The greatest impact on your home’s energy efficiency is to properly insulated your walls, ceiling and roof space.
Hot Air Rising In House

Hot air rises – naturally cool your home and save money in the summer with venting skylights

  • Venting skylights allow you to moderate interior temperature caused by solar heat gain, cooking, laundry and human activity. Enjoy the benefits of cross ventilation to cool your home.
  • LoE3 coated glass reduces Solar Heat Gain from the more intense and higher summer sun.

Solar panels and skylights - perfect partners

  • When you are replacing your roof consider installing solar panels and skylights, they can work in unison to create a more comfortable and energy efficient home.
  • Solar panels generate electric energy to run your home, and venting skylights expel hot air in the summer, and provide ventilation year round.
  • Reduce the reliance on costly energy consuming air conditioning.
  • Plus, you get the added health benefit of letting fresh air into your home and releasing dust, odors, and airborne pollutants.

 
Solar Panels And Skylights Rooftop

For FAKRO Products in the United States please visit fakrousa.com

 
Fakro Logo