There are a few determining factors that will let you know when your windows need to be replaced. Listed below are signs that you should watch for to make sure that your windows remain effective.

* Condensation or frost buildup
* Drafts- If you can feel air coming in through a closed window, your windows need replacement
* Window needs Support to Stay open- If you use a book or wood to prop open your windows, you’re windows should be replaced
* Candles do not stay lit near a closed window- Although you may not feel the draft, this could be a sign that your weather stripping is gone.
* Appearance- If you are unhappy with the appearance of your windows or they show signs of deterioration, they should be replaced.

To get a free, expert opinion, click here and arrange a no-obligation assessment.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

IRS Issues New Guidance on tax Credit Requirements

June 18, 2009

Government

The Internal Revenue Service issued an advance notice this week outlining documentation requirements that window and door manufacturers must provide to homeowners looking to claim energy efficiency home improvement tax credits under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

According to the notice, an Energy Star label is no longer acceptable for exterior windows and skylights, as the IRS had allowed for products purchased prior to June 1.

Notice 2009-53, specifically, outlines how manufacturers will verify their eligible products, and provides guidance for taxpayers seeking to claim the credit. In short, the notice states the conditions under which taxpayers can “rely on a manufacturer’s certification.”

In the case of an exterior window, skylight or door (other than a storm window or storm door), the manufacturer’s certification must state that the exterior window, skylight, or door has a U factor and SHGC of 0.30 or below.

“A manufacturer that certifies to a taxpayer that a component is an eligible building envelope component or that property is qualified energy property must retain in its records documentation establishing that the component or property satisfies the applicable conditions,” the notice states. “In the case of an exterior window, the manufacturer must retain a record of its National Fenestration Rating Council rating.”

The notice also states, “Taxpayers can no longer rely on an Energy Star label in claiming the § 25C credit for exterior windows and skylights placed in service after the enactment of the ARRTA. Similarly, an Energy Star label does not establish that a product is qualified energy property. The product must meet the definition of qualified energy property in § 25C.”

While Energy Star labels are no longer appropriate documentation, the announcement highlights the recent transition period in which Energy Star-rated products would qualify for the credit: “In the case of amounts paid or incurred before June 1, 2009, for property placed in service after February 17, 2009, taxpayers may rely on: … An Energy Star label for exterior windows and skylights, rather than on a manufacturer’s certification statement, in claiming the § 25C credit, if the window or skylight is installed in the region identified on the label.”

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

Researching Replacement Windows?

May 7, 2009

As you have been doing your research, you have undoubtedly discovered one thing – no two windows are exactly the same. In order to ensure that your replacement windows will provide you with home comfort and energy cost savings, we recommend checking in with The National Fenestration Rating Council, otherwise known as NFRC, as well as Energy Star. Both of these companies offer unbiased ratings. Their rating systems will help you determine which quality and energy-efficient window is right for your home.
(Click here to request prices)

National Fenestration Rating Council

The National Fenestration Rating Council label was created to assist consumers in determining how a given window will perform. They offer a very straightforward and precise comparison, which details the manufacturing company, delineates the window’s features and provides other valuable information, including energy performance characteristics.

Key Rating Information to Consider:

* Air Leakage
* Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
* U-Factor
* Visible Transmittance

To learn more, please visit NFRC

The Energy Star Program

In 1992 the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA) established the Energy Star program. Since its inception is has been embraced by many countries throughout the world! Their mission is to promote and identify electronic products that are energy efficient. The Energy Star Window Program is an important extension that is in keeping with their commitment.

This program has paved the way for valuable strides in window technology. The Energy Star Window Program and leading window manufacturers have worked together to provide consumers with windows that are energy efficient. Today’s windows are available in styles that offer versatility and convenience. The additional bonus is that these windows do not just benefit our environment - check out the new balance in your bank account!

(Click here to request prices)

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

Can Better Windows Help Save the World?

March 27, 2009

Today, everything is coming down to a single color: Green. Building greener homes is catching on at a spectacular pace. Homeowners are looking for more and more ways to make their surroundings and living space environmentally friendly by choosing green products. This green movement is the result of a combination of factors: global warming, the rising costs of energy and consumer desire to help make a difference and reverse these trends. And better windows truly can make that difference for consumers, in helping them be more environmentally friendly and providing real dollar savings.

Before getting down to the positive affect improved windows can have on the environment, let’s take a look at the big picture. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, evidence shows the 20th century as the warmest in the last 1,000 years with the most rapid warming occurring over the past 20 years. The 1990s was the warmest decade and 1998 the single warmest year of the past millennium. The biggest cause of global warming is the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels like oil and coal are burned for energy. If greenhouse gases—such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane and nitrous oxide—continue to increase, says the EPA, the average temperature at Earth’s surface could rise between 2.5°F to 10.4°F above 1990 levels by the end of the 21st century. Such seemingly modest increases as these are predicted to have significant consequences on the environment.

Pundits and politicians may differ about specific approaches to curb global warming, but more and more people are embracing the need to address the environment and looking at how our lifestyles affect it. In February 2007, MarketResearch.com reported that 36 million consumers—12 percent of the U.S. population—embrace the green market, in which $230 billion is spent on what are considered sustainable products and services.

So what does this mean to the window industry? It means there is a real and growing desire among consumers for environmentally friendly building products. Once thought of as simply a high-priced luxury with a price tag that outweighed any immediate cost savings benefits, sustainable building products, including windows, are now being sought out and purchased by increasing numbers of consumers acting on their environmental principles.

THE MESSAGE
The green movement is affording us in the window business with a real opportunity to appeal to customers looking for window solutions that not only meet their needs today but also deliver hope for tomorrow. Here are just a few of the things we have to tell them:
Windows can account for between 10 and 25 percent of the total energy consumption for the heating and cooling of an average home (consisting of 2,000 square feet of living space and 300 square feet of windows). Installing the most energy-efficient window available can greatly reduce energy consumption, the carbon footprint of the home (eco-language for the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the combustion of fossil fuels required to produce the energy to heat and cool a structure) and the amount of money required to keep the home comfortable.

Recent improvements in nearly all window components, including low-E glass, warm edge spacers and more efficient insulating frames, can improve window thermal performance by as much as 45 percent. As manufacturers adopt more high-performance glazing techniques, warm edge window spacers become even more important in reducing overall U-factors and decreasing energy loss and potential condensation with its related health risks.

Beyond the actual thermal performance of the window itself, environmentally friendly windows can help reduce a home’s peak heating and cooling loads. Peak loads are the maximum energy loads required for heating or cooling a house within a specific time period. Insulating glass windows reduce the house’s heating and cooling needs by performing more efficiently and achieving more consistent internal temperatures despite wide variations in outside temperatures. Not only do these windows reduce the energy draw at the home, they also help reduce the demand required by the electrical utility at peak times. Given the amount of brownouts and blackouts of the last few years, the ability to help lessen utility demand can be a persuasive selling point for green consumers.

While environmental activists continue to debate with their opponents about the reality or lack thereof of global warming, the middle ground is rapidly growing as awareness of the environment in general takes a greater role in these individuals’ lives. According to the research firm Iconoculture, mainstream “greenies” not only expect innovative new products that slip right into their existing lifestyles, but they also expect more convenience, better price points, higher style and better performance from green products.

Recognizing these demands, and the growing concern among our end customers about the planet and in what condition they leave it for their children and their children’s children, we have a chance to show how, indeed, today’s high-performance windows can truly help save the world.

Ric Jackson is director of marketing & business development for Truseal Technologies Inc.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

Remodeling Magazine lists “best bets” for home improvement

March 11, 2009

The most recent edition of Remodeling Magazine lists the most cost-effective home improvement projects for 2008-09. Homeowners who implemented any of these projects found their investments pay back in improved resale value.

Additionally, Premier Window’s Premier Package window guarantees up to 30% fuel efficiency and with the government Economic Stimulus Bill, can completely pay for themselves in less than 3 years*

*based upon the purchase of 8 windows.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

How the Stimulus Bill affects your window purchase decision

February 25, 2009

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are:

The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.

The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.

The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.

The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009–2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.

The $200 cap on windows has been removed.

Tax credits are now available for home improvements:

must be “placed in service” from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010
must be for taxpayers principal residence
maximum amount is $1,500 in 2009 & 2010 for most home improvements (geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells, and windmills are not subject to this cap)
for record keeping, save your receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement, OR for windows, you can save the ENERGY STAR label from your new windows
improvements made in 2009 will be claimed on your 2009 taxes (filed by April 15, 2010) — use IRS Tax Form 5695 (2009 version) — it will be available late 2009 or early 2010

Premier Window has the window that meets your energy-savings and stimulus bill requirements…introducing the Model 6500 “Premier Package”

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Doors, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Office locations, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

Double vs Triple Pane Windows

January 31, 2009

A guide to choosing between double and triple pane windows.

Windows are a significant expense in any home, so the thought of having to replace them fills many people with dread. While the variety of choices is certainly an asset to consumers, it can also feel like a minefield as you carefully wade through the decisions that you need to make.

The argument of double pane versus triple pane windows is pretty basic, and one of the first that you need to make. While on the surface, it would seem that triple is better, that is not necessarily so. Each type of window has strengths and weaknesses; your job is to find the best for your situation.

The best way to start is with a basic explanation of how a window works. Both double and triple pane windows use a type of inert gas sandwiched between layers of glass. Double pane windows consist of two layers of glass with one layer of gas in the middle. Triple pane windows consist of three layers of glass, the exterior glass, a layer of gas, the middle glass, another layer of gas, and the interior layer glass. The gas acts as insulation to slow the transfer of heat or cold through the window.

Double pane windows are relatively lightweight, relatively efficient, and moderately priced. Triple pane windows are extremely efficient, but also extremely heavy and extremely expensive. Depending on what type of weather you have, you will have to decide what works best for you. In most temperate areas, double pane glass will make the most sense. If you live in an area with long, cold or windy winters, you will probably want to look at triple pane windows.

There are a variety of choices even within the double and triple pane glass windows. If you are looking at triple pane glass because you live in an extremely warm or sunny climate and want to keep your cool air in your house, you do have another option. In a situation like this you should spend some time looking at double pane glass with UV coating. The double pane glass will provide a good insulating factor, and the UV coating will shut the sun’s heat out of your house. Many times these windows can work just as well if not better than a triple pane window.

As you can see, in most cases double pane windows will be the window of choice. There will, of course, be exceptions to this rule, but generally, when you line up the cost, convenience and energy savings, modern double pane windows will be the winner. Triple pane windows do have their place, or they would not continue to be produced. If you live in an extreme environment it would be advisable to get advice from your local power company for their recommendations. You could also spend some time talking with your neighbors, and find out if they are happy with their windows. Many times they will be the first to tell you the pros and cons of their situation, and they have no financial gain in your decision. The investment in new windows is too pricey to be taken without adequate research.

Credit: Essortment.com - Information and advice you want to know…

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows | Leave a Comment

Common Window Terms

January 7, 2009

Here are some basic replacement window concepts you might want to consider when researching windows.

Balance System – This is the mechanism in a window that provides force to the bottom half of the window so it is easy to move it up and down. Older windows have a weight on a line that is hidden in the cavity of the adjacent wall. Modern systems use either constant force spiral springs or very small block and tackle arrangements.

Desiccant – Is a drying agent that is placed inside the panes of glass in a double or triple pane window, (IGU) to absorb any moisture that may get between the glass panes.
To read more on desiccant

Foam Filled – Window frames are generally hollow in nature. This is because they need to be a certain size in order to be thick enough to go from the outside of the wall to and beyond the inside of the wall. If the window frame was a solid mass it would make the window very heavy, and it would have worse insulating properties than if it was hollow with air. There are windows however that are sold, and touted, as having greater insulating properties because the frames are filled with foam.

Heat Gain – The amount of heat gained from both direct sunlight and absorbed heat. On many windows there is an effort to reduce heat gain, particularly from sun light.

Insulation – When old windows are removed and new ones installed generally there will be areas that will have voids that will need to be insulated. This is especially true if the windows were of the outdated variety that had counter weights in the walls. That cavity should be insulated.

Lead Paint – All paints manufactured prior to 1978 had lead as one of the ingredients. It was found that the lead in paints posed a safety hazard to the inhabitants of a dwelling as the paint aged, cracked, peeled and became accessible to ingestion particularly with children. The opening and closing of window sashes, covered with lead paint would created a fine dust that posed a particular threat.

Low-E – This is a metallic coating used to reflect heat (energy) back to its source. It is applied as a thin coat on the panes of glass.

Replacement Windows – This is a catch all phrase for a product that is designed to be used when old windows are removed from a building or house, and a new window unit is installed.

Roll Form Aluminum – There are two types of aluminum used in window manufacturing; roll formed and extruded. Roll form tends to be thinner in nature and is finished prior to the bending process in manufacturing.

Sash – This the term for the part that holds the window, for example in a double hung window there is a top window (sash) and a bottom.

Triple Pane – Most replacement windows today are double paned windows which means there are two independent sections of glass kept apart at approximately 5/8 of an inch. When you have a triple pane window, that means there are three sections of glass.

Wrapped - Is the application and process of bending custom painted aluminum to fit around the outside sills and casing. This is a feature that you should inquire about and not just assume it is part of the installation.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Installations, Mobile, Raleigh, Uncategorized, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

Premier Window’s Model 6500 - The right choice!

December 8, 2008

Why choose the best?

Premier Window offers a variety of window styles. Along with style, energy and feature performance are critical to your decision of which windows to purchase. The model 6500 offers all the features you need with major upgrades in performance. Utilizing PPG’s Intercept technology, the 6500 delivers reduced interior condensation, reduced heat loss, improved insulating glass unit life, and superior control of glass temperature.

Insulating Glass Systems

Choosing the right window includes choosing the right insulating glass unit, which will determine most of a window’s energy performance. An insulating glass unit is comprised of two (or three) panes of glass and the insulating air space between them.

PPG’s Intercept system, with “warm-edge” spacers, features a unique, one-piece, tin-plated or stainless steel, U-channel design. This design creates an effective thermal barrier to help reduce conducted heat loss through the window and makes Intercept spacers stronger and better at retaining insulating gas than many conventional designs.

PPG has been an industry leader in the development and production of insulating glass since the late 1940s, when Twindow^® Insulating Glass was introduced. PPG’s commitment to ongoing research and development has provided the technical expertise required for the introduction of prior PPG insulating glass brands such as: Weatherpane^® and Twindow products as well as our glass-edged Twindow XI insulating glass units.

Features and Benefits

1. Reduced Interior Condensation

Intercept^® insulating glass units reduce condensation problems around the window perimeter. Compare the Intercept insulating glass window on the left with a conventional insulating glass window on the right. Both windows have low-e glass and argon infill. The difference is the Intercept “warm-edge” spacer.


With Intercept® Spacer	With Aluminum Spacer

Conditions:

Cold side temperature=0°F

Room side temperature=72°F

Room side relative humidity=25%

2. Reduced Heat Loss

Intercept spacers are so energy efficient they keep the edges of the window glass warmer, so your home feels more comfortable in the winter. As you can see below, the temperature difference can be dramatic.


Intercept Insulating Glass Unit	Conventional Insulating Glass Unit

This thermograph or “heat picture” compares room side glass temperature for an Intercept insulating glass unit (left: yellow is warmer; blue is cooler) and a conventional unit (right). Because the Intercept glass technology allows for significantly warmer glass temperature, especially at the edges, your home will feel more comfortable.

3. Improved Insulating Glass Unit Life

Less condensation means:

Fewer stains or less damage to windows or walls.
Higher allowable relative humidity indoors/less annoying static electricity.
Better clarity of view.

Under normal weather conditions, insulating glass units expand and contract with temperature changes. In conventional insulating glass units, sealant takes the stress of the flexing, which can cause seal failure and insulating gas loss.

With Intercept glass technology, the spacers flex—instead of the sealant—to resist spacer movement and sealant failure.

With conventional aluminum spacers, the sealant must flex, which can lead to sealant failure and loss of insulation ability.

4. Warmer Glass Temperature
Warmer glass temperature means:

Better insulating value (89% higher R-value).
Lower energy bills.
Fewer drafts, improved comfort.

Intercept^® Insulating Glass Performance Comparisons

Compare the performance of windows using the Intercept insulating glass technology versus conventional insulating glass aluminum spacers. Intercept windows provide warmer indoor glass temperatures and lower U-values/higher insulation performance.

Window Unit Performance Comparison:
Intercept Insulating Glass Unit vs. Conventional Insulating Glass Unit

Window Unit Performance Comparison-Intercept® I.G. Unit vs. Conventional I.G. Unit

	PPG Intercept® Steel Plated Spacer	Conventional Aluminum Spacer
Center-of-Glass U-Value	0.24	0.24
Emissivity (Solarban® 60* Solar Control Low-E glass)	0.04	0.04
Edge U-Value	0.34	0.45
Window U-Value (overall)	0.28	0.31
Minimum Indoor Glass Temperature at Bottom Frame	37°F	32°F

Conditions: 2.5mm glass thickness, 1/2″ air space (argon gas fill), Solarban® 60 Solar Control Low-E glass, 0°F outside-15 mph wind, 70°F inside, 24″ x 48″ vinyl casement.

*Formerly Sungate 1000 Low-E Glass.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Cleveland, Energy, Windows | Leave a Comment

The NFRC Label - What do those numbers mean?

December 8, 2008

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) energy performance label can help you determine how well a product will perform the functions of helping to cool your building in the summer, warm your building in the winter, keep out wind, and resist condensation. By using the information contained on the label, consumers can reliably compare one product with another, and make informed decisions about the windows, doors, and skylights they buy.

NFRC adopted a new energy performance label in 2005. It lists the manufacturer, describes the product, provides a source for additional information, and includes ratings for one or more energy performance characteristics.

NOTE: All energy performance values on the label represent the rating of windows/doors as whole systems (glazing and frame).

The information contained on the label is also available in the NFRC’s online directory.

U-Factor

U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping. The rate of heat loss is indicated in terms of the U-factor (U-value) of a window assembly. U-Factor ratings generally fall between 0.20 and 1.20. The insulating value is indicated by the R-value which is the inverse of the U-value. The lower the U-value, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight. The SHGC is the fraction of incident solar radiation admitted through a window (both directly transmitted and absorbed) and subsequently released inward. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window’s solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits in the house.

Visible Transmittance

Visible Transmittance (VT) measures how much light comes through a product. The visible transmittance is an optical property that indicates the amount of visible light transmitted. VT is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The higher the VT, the more light is transmitted.

Air Leakage*

Air Leakage (AL) is indicated by an air leakage rating expressed as the equivalent cubic feet of air passing through a square foot of window area (cfm/sq ft). Heat loss and gain occur by infiltration through cracks in the window assembly. The lower the AL, the less air will pass through cracks in the window assembly.

Condensation Resistance*

Condensation Resistance (CR) measures the ability of a product to resist the formation of condensation on the interior surface of that product. The higher the CR rating, the better that product is at resisting condensation formation. While this rating cannot predict condensation, it can provide a credible method of comparing the potential of various products for condensation formation. CR is expressed as a number between 0 and 100.

* This rating is optional and manufacturers can choose not to include it.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Uncategorized, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

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