FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products1. Why should I buy ENERGY STAR® qualified windows, doors or skylights?

• Windows,doorsandskylights–collectivelyknownasfenestrationproducts–areamajorsourceofheatlossinCanadianhomes.FenestrationproductsthatqualifyfortheENERGYSTAR®markhavebeenindependentlytestedandcertifiedtobeamongthemostenergy-efficientonthemarket,soinstallingtheminyourhomewillreduceyourenergyconsumptionandsaveyoumoney.Butthere’smore:energy-efficientwindowswillalsoincreaseyourcomfort,cutdownnoiselevelsfromoutsidethehome,havelesscondensationincoldweatherthanstandardproducts,andallowfewerultravioletraystopassthroughglazedareas,thusbetterprotectingyourvaluablesfromsundamage. Lastbutcertainlynotleast,byreducingyourhome’senergyconsumption,ENERGYSTAR®qualifiedwindows,doorsandskylightsalsoreducegreenhousegasemissionsthatarecontributingtoclimatechange.

Please see: � Reason #5 (Quiet Window Technology), � Reason #6 (Diamond Premium Glass), � Reason #9 (The Right LOW-E Glass), � Reason #11 (True North Technology Achieves R8+) in your 17 Reasons magazine.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products2. Why should I be concerned about climate change?

• Climatechangeisaseriousenvironmentalproblemthatcouldhavesignificantconsequencesforourhealth,oureconomyandourchildren’sfuture.AllCanadianscontributetotheproblem,andweallneedtobepartofthesolution.Makingsmartenergychoicesaroundthehome–includinginstallingENERGYSTAR®qualifiedfenestrationproducts–isagreatwaytostart.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products3. How much money can I expect to save by installing ENERGY STAR® qualified fenestration products?

• HomeownerswhoreplacealloftheiroldwindowsanddoorswithENERGYSTAR®qualifiedproductswilltypicallysaveabout7percentontheirenergybills,dependingonthenumberofwindowsanddoorsreplaced,howoldtheyare,andhowmuchairleakagewasoccuring.BuyersofnewhomeswithENERGYSTAR®qualifiedfenestrationproductscansaveupto12percentontheirenergybillscomparedtostandardproducts(thesavingstendtobegreaterfornewhomesbecausetheyaretypicallylargerandhavemorewindowsanddoorsthanolderhomes.)

� The truth is windows result in only 7 - 12 percent savings on your energy bill, period. If you have been promised more, you should definitely ask for proof in writing.

� Replacing your windows is about something far more important than 7 -12 percent. It’s about your family’s comfort.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products4. How will I know if I need new windows, doors or skylights?

• Unusuallyhighenergybills,uncomfortabledraftsarounddoorsandwindows,andfrostonyourwindowsoncoldwinterdaysareamongthecluesthatfenestrationproductsmaybeinneedofrepairorreplacement.

� In addition, your local VWD dealer, armed with LOW-E Detectors, will complete a no-charge, no obligation test on your existing windows. Just contact us and we’ll look after everything else. They don’t even have to ring your doorbell!

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products5. How will I know if a window, door or skylight is ENERGY STAR® qualified?

• It’seasy-justlookforthefamiliarENERGYSTAR®markontheproductorinthemanufacturer’sliterature.IfthemapontheENERGYSTAR®labelindicatesthattheproductisqualifiedintheCanadianclimatezonewhereyoulive,you’vefoundawinner!Tomaximizeyourlong-termenergyandcostsavings,considerpurchasingaproductthatisENERGYSTAR®qualifiedforacolderclimatezonethanwhereyoulive.Thisstrategyisespeciallyrecommendedifyouliveinalocationthatissignificantlyhigherinelevationthanthesurroundingarea,suchasinsouthernandcentralBritishColumbia.

A combination of: � Reason #8 (Stainless Warm Edge Spacer) � Reason #11 (True North Technology Achieves R8+) and � Reason #16 (Warmware) in your 17 Reasons magazine... will ensure that you’ll be comfortable

even in the coldest region of Canada. Please see next question.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products6. How does the climate zone system work?

• Canadahasbeendividedintofourclimatezonesbasedonanaverageannualtemperatureindicatorcalledaheatingdegreeday(HDD).ThehighertheHDDvalue,thecolderalocationandthelongertheheatingseason.Astheclimatezonesbecomeprogressivelycolder,fenestrationproductsmustmeetincreasinglyrigorousperformancerequirementstoqualifyforENERGYSTAR®.Thismeansthatawindow,doororskylightthatisENERGYSTAR®qualifiedinZoneA-themildestregioninCanada-maynotbequalifiedinZoneD,thecoldest.That’swhyit’simportanttomakesuretheproductyouchooseisENERGYSTAR®qualifiedintheclimatezonewhereyoulive.

In addition to everything on question 5, please see: � Reason #2 (VWD in the top 100 manufacturers of 2012), � Reason #7 (PPG Glass Package by VWD), � Reason #15 (The Technology is Built Right In) in your 17 Reasons magazine.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products7. Why were special criteria developed for Canada?

• ENERGYSTAR®criteriaforwindows,doorsandskylightshavebeenineffectintheUnitedStatesforsometimenow.However,sincetheexpectedperformanceoftheseproductsisbasedonclimate,andCanada’sclimatevariessignificantlyfromregiontoregionandcomparedtomuchoftheU.S.,itwasdeterminedthatuniqueCanadianrequirementswerewarranted.TheinitialCanadianENERGYSTAR®criteriacoveredwindowsandslidingglassdoorsandcameintoeffectonApril1,2004.InApril2005,theENERGYSTAR®criteriafortheseproductswerestrengthenedandadditionalcriteriawereimplementedforentrydoorsandskylights.

� Please review your 17 Reasons magazine - especially Reason #17 (Windows for life™).

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products8. How does a window, door or skylight qualify for ENERGY STAR®?

• ToqualifyfortheENERGYSTAR®mark,fenestrationproductsmustmeetstricttechnicalrequirementsforboththermalandstructuralperformance.ProductsarequalifedbasedoneithertheirU-Value,potentialsolargainandairtightness).Thecoldertheclimatezone,themorestringenttherequirements.Windows,doorsandskylightsmustalsohavegoodairtightnesstoqualifyforENERGYSTAR®.ToensuretheintegrityoftheENERGYSTAR®mark,allproducttestingisdonebyaccreditedlaboratoriesunderstandardized,quality-controlledconditions.

� With 25 proud years of manufacturing Windows for Life™, VWD is one of very few manufacturers in North America to have an in-house R&D Department and in-house testing facility. VWD proto-types are tested and proven to meet your high standards before your CSA certified windows reach your home.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products9. Are ENERGY STAR® qualified products more expensive to purchase than conventional windows, doors and skylights?

• Notneccessarily–andwherethereisacostpremium,themoneyyousaveinenergybillswillmorethanrepaytheextracost,oftenveryquickly.Excellentproductsareavailableatcompetitiveprices,soshoparound.Whetheryou’rebuildinganewhomeorreplacingexistingwindows,doorsorskylightsaspartofarenovationproject,it’sagoodideatoselectthemostenergy-efficientproductsyoucanreasonablyafford.Low-priced,poor-qualitymodelscanendupcostingyoualotmoremoneyinthelong-termthroughhigherenergybills,andcanalsolowertheresalevalueofyourhome.Anddon’tforgetthenon-monetarybenefitsofenergy-efficientwindows,includingincreasedcomfortandreducedcondensationandnoisepenetration.

� VWD authorized dealers don’t claim to be the cheapest, but they do promise to give you the best value. Please review your 17 Reasons magazine. If you can find a better window than VWD for your money, you should buy it.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products10. What if I find a fenestration product with an ENERGY STAR® label that does not show information for the Canadian climate zones?

• ThismaybeaproductthatqualifiesforENERGYSTAR®intheUnitedStatesbutnotnecessarilyinCanada.Remember,specificENERGYSTAR®criteriahavebeendevelopedforCanada’sclimate,whichtendstobecolderinwinterthanmostpartsoftheU.S.AfenetrationproductthatdoesnotshowtheCanadianclimatezonesmaynotqualifyforENERGYSTAR®whereyoulive.

� Every VWD window is labeled with the appropriate climate zone. Your VWD authorized dealer will explain your climate zone with you before placing the order to manufacture your windows. Can you imagine buying windows inNorthern Alberta that was zoned for Pelee Island, Ontario?

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products11. I am having a new home built – how can I make sure it has energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights?

• Makeitcleartothebuilderthatyouwanttop-quality,energy-efficientproductsinstalledinyournewhome.TheENERGYSTAR®Websiteincludesalistofqualifiedwindowsandslidingglassdoors(qualifiedentrydoorsandskylightswillbepostedsoon),aswellasparticipatingmanufacturersanddealers.Iftheproductsspecifiedbyyourbuilderarenotonthislist,askforacostestimatetoupgradetoENERGYSTAR®quali-fiedwindows,doorsandskylights.

� VWD has a new construction division that has manufactured over 1,000,000 windows for new houses. For more information, please contact your authorized VWD Dealer.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products12. What if I can’t find an ENERGY STAR® qualified fenestration product?

• LookforproductsthathavethefeaturesofatypicalENERGYSTAR®qualifiedfenestrationproduct.Forwindows,patiodoorsandskylightslookforproductsthathavedouble-ortriple-glazinginasealedunit;low-Ecoatings;aninsertgasfill;low-conductivityspacers,insulatedframesandsashes;andahighEnergyRatingorlowU-value.Forentrydoors,lookforunitsthathaveinsulatedcores;wood,vinylorthermallybrokenmetalframes;good-qualityweatherstripping;maintenance-freeframingmaterials;ahighEnergyRatingoralowU-value;andaminimumofdouble-glazinginglassinsertswithalow-Ecoating.Note:onlyENERGYSTAR®qualifiedwindows,doorsandskylightsqualifyforagrantundertheecoENERGYRetrofitprogram.

� If you cannot find ENERGY STAR® qualified products in your area, please call our Customer Service Department at 1.800.668.4820; we’ll make sure you’ll get your hands on ENERGY STAR® awarded Windows for Life™.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products13. How should I handle installation?

• Installationofwindows,doorsandskylightsisbestlefttoaprofessional.Apoorlyinstalledfenestrationproductmaynotoperateproperlyandcouldcausecolddrafts,eveniftheproductitselfisenergyefficient.Poorinstallationmayalsoallowwatertoleakintothewallcavity,leadingtocostlydamage.Mostmanufacturersofferinstallationservicesorcanrecommendaproperlytrainedinstaller.AgoodwaytoensureaqualityinstallationistofindaninstallerwhohasbeencertifiedbytheWindowWiseprogram,whichconductscomprehensivetrainingseminarsforinstallers.

� This is where we come in, your local window dealer...and this is our track record.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products14. Where can I get more information on energy efficient windows, doors and skylights?

• MoreinformationisavailableintheOEE’spublicationonenergyefficientfenestrationproductsorfactsheetaboutENERGYSTAR®qualifiedwindows,doorsandskylights.Aswell,“SilltoSash,”a consumer video guidetobuyingenergyefficientwindowsanddoors,isavailableonthewebsiteoftheCanadianWindowandDoorManufacturersAssociation.

� Canadian Window and Door Manufacturers Association is now called Fenestration Canada http://www.cwdma.ca/lang/en/

� Did you know that more ENERGY STAR® Regstered window dealers have chosen VWD than any other manufacturer in Canada... and for seven consecutive years?

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products15. As a manufacturer or dealer, how can I participate in the ENERGY STAR® program for fenestration products?

• ManufacturersanddealerswhowanttoactivelypromoteENERGYSTAR®qualifiedproductsmustsignanAdministrativeArrangementwithNaturalResourcesCanada(thereisnocosttoregisterasanENERGYSTAR®technicalspecifications.MoreinformationformanuifacturersisavailableontheENERGYSTAR®WebsiteorbycontactingENERGYSTAR®directly.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products16. What are the benefits of participation for manufacturers?

• ParticipatingintheENERGYSTAR®programcangivemanufacturersoffenestrationproductsacompeti-tiveadvantage,particularlyintherenovationmarket,wherethedemandfornewwindows,doorsandskylightsisstrong.CanadianconsumersareincreasinglylookingfortheENERGYSTAR®markwhenpurchasingeverythingfromhomeelectronicsandkitchenappliancestoheatingequipmentandcomputers.TheinternationallyrecognizedENERGYSTAR®symbolcandrawattentiontoyouradvertisingandotherpromotionsandassureconsumersofthequalityandperformanceofyourqualifiedproducts.YourcompanynameandqualifiedproductswillbelistedontheENERGYSTAR®website,andyoumaybeabletoparticipateinjointmarketingandpromotionalcampaignsortakeadvantageoftrainingworkshops.

� At VWD, manufacturing high quality products goes beyond ENERGY STAR® awards and their bragging rights. It’s about maintaining a 25-year-old bond between this company and Canadian homeowners. It’s about standing behind VWD products – for life.

� Please see Reason #17 in your 17 Reasons magazine.

FAQs - ENERGY STAR® Fenestration Products17. Bonus Question: What is the ideal air space between panes of glass to reduce heat loss from convection?

• Airmovementinthespacesbetweenpanesofglassresultsinheatlossfromconvection.Ifthespaceistoosmall,conductionthroughtheairissignificant.Iftheairspaceistoolarge,thestillairrises,asitisheatedonthewarminteriorsideandfallsasitiscooledonthecoldexteriorsideofthewindow.Thisconvectionmovementoftheairpassesheattotheexterior.Thebestspacingtominimizeconvectionloss-esis12to16mm(1/2in.to2.3in.)betweentheglazings.Gases(argonandkrypton)areoftenusedtoreduceconvectionheatloss.Optimumspacingforthesegasescanbedifferent.

� Please see Reason #17 in your 17 Reasons magazine.