Energy-Efficient Doors: Evaluating Your Choices

Doors could be one of the culprits behind a higher energy bill, usually accounting for more than 10% of heat loss in the average home, which is why door replacement companies recommend installing energy-efficient exterior units. Read on to find out how to pick the right kind of door for your home.

ENERGY STAR® Label 

When shopping for energy-efficient doors, always look for the ENERGY STAR label.  Only doors that have met the Environmental Protection Agency’s performance standards have this label, ensuring an energy-efficient choice.

NFRC Ratings 

How can you choose a door from several brands that have the ENERGY STAR label? Look for the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label, which is usually placed below the ENERGY STAR sticker. This is where you’ll find the door’s energy performance ratings, as well as the climate zones for which the door is certified. Listed below is an overview of some of the performance ratings provided:

1. U-factor - The lower the door’s U-factor, the better a door is at preventing heat transfer.

2. Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) - The lower the SHGC rating, the less heat that can pass through a door’s glass. Homes in cold climates, however, usually need doors with a high SHGC to take advantage of passive heating.

Glazing 

Glass isn’t a good insulator, which is why homeowners living in cold climates tend to avoid doors with wide glass areas. However, this is no longer the case—modern doors, even those with large glass areas integrated into the design, can meet energy efficiency standards thanks to improved glazing. As such, if you were planning on getting new patio doors but couldn’t because of concerns regarding energy efficiency, you can go right ahead and install them.

ENERGY STAR Partners 

To further narrow down your choices, it’d be a good idea to make a list of ENERGY STAR partners, or companies that have partnered with the program to improve and promote their products’ energy efficiency.

ProVia®, a brand known for its new entry doors, for example, won this year’s Sustained Excellence Award. Only companies who have been ENERGY STAR partners for at least two years and consistently surpass the criteria can receive the distinction.

Abby Windows, a recipient of the Pro Remodeler’s 40 Under 40 Award, offers a wide variety of premium ProVia products. To schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained inspectors, call us at (414) 209-0404. Or you can leave us a message here.