Aesthetics and durability aren’t the only factors you need to consider when investing in new patio doors. Make sure that you take energy efficiency into account as well.
Finding the ENERGY STAR® Label
Checking the label that comes with your patio doors is one of the many ways you can determine whether a product is energy-efficient or not. Specifically, you need to look for the ENERGY STAR® logo. It means that the patio doors you are looking to buy have met federal energy performance standards.
Energy Performance Criteria
Before patio doors become ENERGY STAR-certified, they must first meet several requirements. One of them is that they must be tested and certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council® (NFRC). Another is that the ratings for the patio doors meet ENERGY STAR guidelines as outlined by the U.S. Department of Energy.
The energy performance criteria for patio doors are based on the following ratings set forth by the NFRC and the amount of glass they have. These include the following:
- U-Factor – This measures the rate of heat transfer from non-solar heat flow. Patio doors with a low U-factor rating means better insulation and heat flow resistance, which are vital in keeping your home comfortable.
- R-Value – This measures how well your door can keep heat from escaping your home. A higher R-value means better insulation.
- Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) – This measures how well your patio doors prevent solar heat gain. Your door’s SHGC rating should depend on the climate in your area. Higher ratings for patio doors are recommended for homes situated in colder climates, while lower ratings are for homes in warmer climates.
- Glazing level – There are three types of patio door glazing that you can look into: opaque, half-lite and greater than half-lite. Opaque doors have no glass. Half-lite doors are doors made of half glass or less. Greater than half-lite means that your door is mostly glass. Examples include sliding glass or French doors.
When it comes to your energy-efficient patio doors, Renewal by Andersen® of Houston has got you covered. Call us now at (281) 547-6177, or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. We serve homeowners in and around Houston, TX.