In recent years, activists have been raising concerns about climate change. Even governments have joined the bandwagon. Snow is melting at the poles, some species are nearly becoming extinct, and temperatures are rising globally.
As a result of these issues affecting the global ecosystem, more manufacturers are investing in research. This research aims to make their products eco-friendly and energy-efficient. In response, accreditation authorities are stepping in to test the compliance of these new products.
Energy Star Ratings
You might’ve come across products with an Energy Star logo if you own several electronic appliances. It’s placed either on the packaging, the product itself, or both. This logo is proof that the device has passed a series of tests aimed at ascertaining its energy efficiency.
Before Energy Star certifies and embeds its logo on a product, it must be developed by a partner company. Then, an independent testing and certification process follows.
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) carries out this certification process. The NFRC ratings given to the product must meet the criteria set by the United States Environmental Agency (USEPA).
The National Fenestration Rating Council
As mentioned earlier, the NFRC is an organization that tests, certifies, and rates fenestration products. It is worth noting that this is a voluntary membership body.
Manufacturers join the NFRC to allow their products to be visible and deemed as reputable by US customers. Before certification by this organisation, the products must undergo thorough testing. This testing should be undertaken at a recognised laboratory.
Equipment like doors, skylights, and roof ventilators come with protection features. For example, winter coating that prevents damage caused by inclement weather.
So, when shopping for skylights, it’s vital to consider the climate of your region. For instance, it would help if your skylight keeps your home cool if you live in a hot area. Similarly, people who live in cold regions need a skylight that heats interior spaces.
Then, you can check the rating. Performance criteria for skylights depend on the amount of insolation a region receives. This is based on the U-Factor (BTU-F2) and SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient). These are usually high in hotter areas and low in colder regions.
What’s Good About Energy Star?
Consumers should know that the Energy Star label primarily focuses on the efficiency of a product. A major appliance with the Energy Star label is not always a better product than a comparable model.
However, it must meet stringent energy efficiency guidelines set out by that program to get that logo.If you consider recent developments in technology, you might not even be aware of some of the energy-saving features in modern appliances without the Energy Star logo.
Also, many significant advancements in technology have led to the emergence of energy savers. These energy savers have LED lighting and a
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