Home Improvement

Energy Star Certification for Doors

Energy star certification lets consumers know how “green” a particular product is. There are certain requirements a manufacturer must meet to attain Energy Star certification. Here is a list of some of the factors that determine whether a door meets Energy Star’s requirements.

U-Factor

U-factor refers to the thermal transmission rating, which measures heat loss through the door. If the U-factor is lower, homes in colder climates will begin to lose heat. If heating bills are a concern to you, try out a door with a high U-value so that you can retain the heat within your home. A u-factor rating of 1.20, which is the highest rating, would provide excellent insulation for your home.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

The rate of heat gain through the door is measured as the solar heat gain coefficient. In environments with extremely hot days, low SHGC doors will allow the home to stay cool by reflecting some of that heat. SHGC is typically expressed in numbers that range from 0 to 1.

Visible Transmittance

The amount of light that comes through a window is expressed as visible transmittance. These values are also expressed on a scale from 0 to 1, but the higher transmittance number means more light is let into the home. Frosted windows, stained windows and windows with a solar covering might lower your visible transmittance rating.

Condensation Resistance

Homes that have concerns about humidity will want a door with high condensation resistance. This helps resist the formation of condensation on the interior surface of the door, thus keeping your home at a reasonable humidity level.