Today I thought I'd give you some tips on how to choose an energy-efficient door. Doors, like windows, can affect the heating and cooling load of a building. If you're looking for an energy-efficient door, the first thing you should do is check the Federal Energy Management Program's performance table for doors, which will tell you the recommended U value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which vary by climate region. (U-value is a measurement of how quickly heat conducts through the entire door assembly, including the frame. The lower the U value, the more resistant the door is to heat transfer. SHGC is a measure of how much radiant energy can pass from the outside through the door. If a door has a SHGC rating of 0.50, that means that the door admits 50 percent of the heat energy that strikes the door.) In the New York City area (which is at the edge of the Northern climate region), the recommended U-factor is 0.35 or less, while any SHGC is considered acceptable.
Once you've figured out the U value and SHGC, you're ready to go shopping. As you look at your door options, you should be looking for the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label, which will contain information on U value and SHGC, as well as air leakage and condensation resistance. You can also refer to the NFRC's Certified Products Directory Search for a comprehensive list of certified doors. In addition, Energy Star-rated doors are very energy-efficient.
On a similar note, you can also make your existing windows more energy efficient without replacing them. Insulating films are available that can reflect up to 70 percent of the sun's heat in the summer and retain almost 55 percent of the home's heat in the winter months. These window films is can also block up to 99 percent of UV rays, meaning there is less fading to your window treatments, interior furniture, and flooring. 3M has an excellent reputation in the window film business and their 3M Scotchtint Sun Control Films are a leading product in this category. They also offer 3M Scotchtint Plus All Season Films, or Low E Films, which give you protection from heat loss in cold weather environments. They will both need to be installed by 3M dealers and you should get a minimum of 20 years life from these films.
Once you've figured out the U value and SHGC, you're ready to go shopping. As you look at your door options, you should be looking for the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label, which will contain information on U value and SHGC, as well as air leakage and condensation resistance. You can also refer to the NFRC's Certified Products Directory Search for a comprehensive list of certified doors. In addition, Energy Star-rated doors are very energy-efficient.
On a similar note, you can also make your existing windows more energy efficient without replacing them. Insulating films are available that can reflect up to 70 percent of the sun's heat in the summer and retain almost 55 percent of the home's heat in the winter months. These window films is can also block up to 99 percent of UV rays, meaning there is less fading to your window treatments, interior furniture, and flooring. 3M has an excellent reputation in the window film business and their 3M Scotchtint Sun Control Films are a leading product in this category. They also offer 3M Scotchtint Plus All Season Films, or Low E Films, which give you protection from heat loss in cold weather environments. They will both need to be installed by 3M dealers and you should get a minimum of 20 years life from these films.
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