What is Energy Star?

A joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program helps us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.

Why does ENERGY STAR matter?
The results of the program are already adding up. With the help of ENERGY STAR, Americans saved enough energy in 2008 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 39 million cars — all while saving $19 billion on their utility bills.

Pella windows and doors that have earned the ENERGY STAR can help you to:

• Lower your heating and cooling costs. You could save $146 – $501 a year on your energy bills.
• Enhance your home’s comfort
• Protect the environment
• Block most of the sun’s ultraviolet rays that can fade window treatments, carpets, walls and furniture.

What are the ENERGY STAR requirements?
For help gauging energy efficiency, look on the NFRC label for a window’s U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) rating.

• The U-Factor indicates how well the product keeps heat inside a home (the lower the number, the better it insulates).
• The SHGC rating will tell you how effective the product is at blocking the heat caused by the sun (the lower the number, the less heat it allows in).

Pella products offer some of the lowest U-Factors in the industry.

• Pella® products offer the energy-efficient options that will meet or exceed ENERGY STAR guidelines in all 50 states.**
• Some Pella products significantly exceed U.S. ENERGY STAR guidelines.

Understanding the NFRC Performance Label

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a nonprofit organization that developed an energy rating program based on "whole product" performance – not just the glass.

The NFRC label is found on every window. It's the most reliable way to determine a window's "whole unit" energy performance.

1 NFRC-certified products

All reputable window manufacturers rate and certify their products according to National Fenestration Rating Council requirements.

2 U-Factor

This number tells you how well the window insulates. The lower the U-Factor, the better.

3 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

This number tells how effective the window is at blocking the sun's radiant heat. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat the window allows into your home.

4 Check that the manufacturer reports "whole product energy performance"

This is the best way to know how your window will perform – versus only reporting the "center of glass" performance.

5 The ENERGY STAR® logo

When you see this logo on the NFRC label, you can be assured you've purchased a high-efficiency window or door that meets ENERGY STAR® guidelines.