ENERGY STAR^®

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

Energy Star^® Canada Energy Star^® USA

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

Energy Star Boxed English The 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.

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

ENERGY STAR^® Helps Americans Buy Energy Efficient Products.
Helping save over $430 billion in energy costs since 1992.

ENERGY STAR ensures that each product that earns the label is independently certified to deliver the efficiency performance and savings that consumers have come to expect.
Americans trust ENERGY STAR and have used it to purchase more than 300 million certified products in 2019. In fact, an average of 800,000 ENERGY STAR certified products were sold every day in 2019, bringing the total to more than 7 billion products sold since 1992.

ENERGY STAR qualified products include:

Skylights

Windows and Doors

Appliances

Electronics

Heating Equipment

Cooling and Ventilation

Lighting

Heat Pump

Office Equipment

Columbia manufactures exceptional
ENERGY STAR certified skylights for the US market

Providing ENERGY STAR certified skylights to the American homeowner – all models, fixed and venting, standard and custom sizes.

Columbia is a proud partner in the ENERGY STAR program since 2007, and we support the benefits it brings to American consumers and the environment.
Columbia has the largest selection of energy efficient skylights available in the United States. All Columbia skylight models in fixed and venting, standard and custom sizes are available in LoE³ triple glazing.
Columbia’s innovative product design allows it to exceed the stringent criteria of ENERGY STAR, providing homeowners with the ability to purchase products that save energy, reducing heating and cooling costs, and are sustainable.
As a North American company we have the experience and manufacturing capability to build a skylight that can withstand the extremes of a northern climate.
Over 60% of the parts and materials used in our skylights are made in the United States.
All the leading edge glazing used in the manufacture of Columbia Skylights is from Cardinal IG, based in Minnesota with plants across the United States.

We all need to do our part for a sustainable future

Reducing the impact of climate change through our actions as consumers has become a critical issue. There’s a social responsibility for us as individuals and companies to do the best for our planet – let’s all do our part.

At Columbia we are committed to this mission and have allocated resources to fulfilling the goal – across our research and development, manufacturing processes, and use of parts and materials.

We recycle all waste aluminum, glass, acrylic, corrugated cardboard and PVC, and employ sustainable practices throughout our manufacturing process, plant and warehouses.

Energy Efficient Home Plan

Plan to use ENERGY STAR certified products when you build, renovate, or replace your home. ENERGY STAR will help you evaluate products and options.
Work with your architect and/or contractor to specify ENERGY STAR products, such as Columbia Skylights.

Skylights can be part of an entire energy efficient system for your home, combining current building products, technology and materials.
Think of your home as a complete integrated energy saving system, every element needs to be contributing to the home overall energy efficiency score.

Energy Efficient Wind Turbines

We all need to make energy efficient choices for the planet’s future. Both consumers and manufacturers must make the right energy efficient choices.
Columbia uses the latest materials and technology to help us produce the most energy efficient skylights in North America.

What do the zones mean?

Windows, doors and skylights protect you from the elements just like a winter coat. But like a winter coat, you should pick the products that make the most sense for your climate. While some are better at keeping you warm, others excel at keeping you cool.

Northern Zone: The Northern Zone encompasses the largest portion of the continental US of any zone in addition to Alaska. Products rated for the Northern Zone are usually designed to keep heat inside the home and allow more heat to come through the glass of a window or skylight. If you live in the Northern Zone, check the U-Value of the product you’re interested in purchasing.
As Northern Zone areas have colder winters, residents of this zone may want to make sure that they’re buying the right U-Value-rated skylights or windows to ward off the winter chill.
South-Central: The further south you live, the hotter and more humid the weather, so residents of this zone will want to look for ENERGY STAR skylights and windows that promote cooling the home. Consider a venting skylight.
This is the second-biggest zone, and it covers most of the Deep South as well as much of Texas and Oklahoma. These areas can still see cold winters, so a secondary strength in keeping the house warm in the winter is recommended.
North-Central: The North-Central Zone covers many of the Mid-Atlantic states and snakes its way through the lower Midwest and parts of California. The climate in the North-Central Zone tends to be warmer than much of the Northern Zone, but it’s not as humid and rainy as the Southern Zone. Residents of this zone should look for an all-purpose energy efficient skylight that has strengths in retaining heat in the winter and keeping homes cool in the summer.
Southern: The Southern Zone is the smallest zone and covers areas near the Gulf Coast, including all of Florida. Windows and skylights rated for the Southern Zone have a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rating, a factor that keeps rooms from getting hot from direct sunlight.
They also may have a lower Visible Transmittance rating, meaning more sun is blocked, as well as a high Condensation Resistance, as these areas tend to be wet and humid.

Performance criteria for skylights and windows are based on ratings certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), and vary for each of the climate zones shown in the map above.

The History of ENERGY STAR^®

The ENERGY STAR^® program has a well established history, and is recognized across the United States as a guide to consumers looking for energy efficient products. Since 1992 ENERGY STAR^® has helped the American consumer purchase over 7 billion energy saving products.

1992

ENERGY STAR^® established

The ENERGY STAR^® program was established by the Environmental Protection Agency and operates under the authority of the United States Clean Air Act.

1995

Program is expanded

In 1995 the program was significantly expanded, introducing labels for residential heating and cooling systems and new homes.

ENERGY STAR^® for homes is launched to help homebuyers identify energy efficient new homes in the marketplace

1998

Skylights added to program

Skylights, windows, doors, TVs, VCRs, and roof products became new ENERGY STAR product categories.

2001

US and Canada partner on ENERGY STAR

Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) implements the ENERGY STAR program in Canada for products, homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants.

2002

ENERGY STAR celebrates 10th anniversary

ENERGY STAR’S^® has helped US consumers for a decade.

Americans purchased more than one billion ENERGY STAR^® qualified products since 1992. More than 100,000 ENERGY STAR^® certified homes built in the US to-date.

2005

Congress enacts Energy Policy Act

Congress enacts Energy Policy Act that directed EPA and the Department of Energy to implement program to identify and promote energy–efficient products and buildings through labeling or other communication and promote ENERGY STAR.

2009

Version 5 introduced

Updates to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for eleven categories effective this year including skylights, computer displays, light bulbs, air conditioners, certain commercial HVAC, home audio equipment, windows and water coolers.

2011

Most efficient program launched

The ENERGY STAR Most Efficient program was launched in May of 2011 by DOE and EPA to identify and advance highly efficient products in the marketplace. Its goal is to increase market awareness and promote innovation in these products.

2015

More demanding Version 6 introduced

Update to the ENERGY STAR product requirements for six categories effective this year including computer displays, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, and windows (including skylights).

2016

Impact report published

According to the U.S. Energy and Employment Report for 2016, 290,000 American workers are involved in the manufacture of ENERGY STAR certified products and building materials.

2018

Product Finder launched, including skylights

Product Finder is an online tool included as part of the ENERGY STAR website that helps US consumers find the best product for their money.

2022

Version 7 to be introduced

In 2022 ENERGY STAR will launch a new more rigorous set of certification standard. Corresponding with the current goals in the fight against climate change.

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.

Look for the official ENERGY STAR logo.
Canada only has one region.
Official NFRC Certification. Assurance that you product has been tested.
Product manufacturer, name and description.
U-Value and
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rating. The lower the better.
Visible Transmittance rating.
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 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

For more information.

ENERGY STAR^® WEBSITE VISIT NFRC WEBSITE

ENERGY STAR®

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

ENERGY STAR® Helps Americans Buy Energy Efficient Products. Helping save over $430 billion in energy costs since 1992.