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About Canadian Ratings |  |
 About the Industry |
About Canadian Ratings |
About Frames |
About Sealed Units |
About Installations |
Natural Resources Canada web site |
Free Estimates |
Traditionally, windows have been rated using R-Values which is fine for a wall but has obvious problems when measuring a window's performance. An R-value takes it's measurement in the very center square foot OF THE GLASS. This is the very warmest part of the window. The R-Value completely misses any heat loss through the frame, seals and spacer...where the majority of heat loss occurs!
Thankfully, over a decade ago the ER-number (Energy Rating) was developed by Natural Resources Canada to give consumers a much better idea of a window's performance. The idea is that consumers can use a single number to compare window products. This Energuide number is also seen in, for instance, the appliance industry, where Energuide numbers are available for easy comparison.
The ER number for windows also takes into consideration heat loss through the frame, frame seals and spacer - NOT JUST CENTER OF GLASS PERFORMANCE. It's goal is to make consumers much more aware of a window's REAL efficiency and allow simple comparisons.VERY IMPORTANT: The ER number will identify a poor grade window right away. Therefore, manufacturers of poor grade windows will not publish their ER numbers and will insist on using the older R-values because they would rather not inform consumers of the true quality of their windows. They rely on the consumers being ignorant to the existence of ER numbers.I have heard of several cases where informed customers have asked manufacturers about their ER numbers only to be told that ER numbers are only used in eastern Canada or even the United States. Again, the ER number system has been around for over a decade and most manufacturers will not use it because it will tell the public exactly how bad the windows are. If you are looking at buying a good quality window system, ONLY deal with companies that use the ER numbers or, simply, take your chances.
It works like this: in the daytime the sun provides free energy into the house and at night there is heat loss. 'A window with an ER of zero loses as much heat as it gains over the heating season. Consequently, it will have no impact on the house's annual fuel consumption.' ' A positive ER number means that the windows actually add more heat to the home than they lose during the heating season, decreasing the home's heating costs.' ' A negative ER means a window loses more energy than it gains, making the heating system work harder.'Natural Resources Canada CSA Ratings: The National Building Code now require that windows used in new low-rise residential construction and renovations meet CSA-A440 requirements and have at least a A1, B1 and C1 performance ratings. These are absolute minimum standards and are very easy to meet. Just because a window meets these standards does not mean that it is an extremely energy efficient product. Again, it is a minimum standard product. Look for windows that are higher on the scale than the minimums.CSA Ratings
The windows that we manufacture and install have the highest Energy Rating on the market and rate at the top of the ranking on the CSA scoring schedule, proving that they are extremely energy efficient, weathertight and durable. Ask yourself this question: Does the company that I am getting quotations from use Energy Ratings? If not, can you guess why?Free Estimates by Scott McEwen 403 540-8059 |
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