Published: March 28, 2022
Energy Star®. Andersen® 400 Windows. Low-E. You’ve seen these labels while researching windows for your upcoming project, but how do you know if they’re worth the hype? And, are Andersen 400 Windows Energy Star rated?
At DunRite, we’re committed to providing you with the quality and knowledge to back up your investment, so here’s what you need to know.
Andersen 400 Series Can Be Energy Star Rated, But It Depends…
Andersen Windows and Doors is a pioneer in the Energy Star and energy efficiency space, but not all Andersen 400 series products are ENERGY STAR rated for your area.
All energy-efficient products are rated on a scale by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) so you can compare energy efficiency when you’re shopping for new windows or other products. For windows, this scale is widely used to indicate the amount of light that’s allowed in, air leakage and heat retention.
The “Energy Star” designation identifies products that are top-performing, cost-effective and energy-saving solutions in their particular disciplines, however, Energy Star sets guidelines that vary for every “Zone” in the country. Products must exceed those energy efficiency standards to receive the coveted designation for all or some zones.
For instance, Andersen 400 Windows are Energy Star rated across all zones if you choose “Low-E4® SmartSun™ with HeatLock™,” which is a special glass and reflective coating to protect your home from heat. Other options, such as the Low-E4 with HeatLock (and no SmartSun upgrade) are ideal for Northern and North-Central parts of the U.S. and not Energy Star rated, though they’re still highly energy efficient by NFRC standards. As you examine Andersen 400 windows, be sure to ask which glass and coating upgrades would be ideal for your zone. (Surprise—Arizona includes FOUR zones!)
To meet Energy Star criteria, a window in Maricopa County must have a U-factor of 0.40 or less AND an SHGC of 0.25 or less. (View counties in Arizona, or view criteria for doors.)
Why is Energy Star Such a Big Deal?
Investing in Energy Star-rated products can be worthwhile for many reasons. For one, Energy Star products are intended to protect climate while improving air quality and protecting public health.
Plus, they generally help save money on energy bills.
In 2019 alone, Energy Star certified products “helped consumers save 230 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, avoid $23 billion in energy costs, and achieve 170 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reduction,” according to Energy.gov.
Andersen Windows: A Pioneer
Andersen Windows has been in the window business since 1903, and its mission has always been to pioneer new products and set higher standards for the industry. When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) jointly launched the Energy Star program, Andersen Windows was among the first to jump on board when a “windows” category was created in 1998.
Within the first year, they received the inaugural Energy Star National Window Partner of the Year award. Since then, they’ve racked up 12 other Energy Star awards, with its most recent being the “Sustained Excellence Award” in 2021.
So why are Andersen Windows’ efforts noteworthy? The company points to its commitment to sustainability, air quality and green building. Andersen Windows’ goals are to reduce water consumption, energy consumption and waste each year by 20 percent, even as it expands operations. Additionally, it has invested in “re-lighting” projects, switching to more energy-efficient LED lights to reduce energy use in its facilities.
Straight from the Source: Local Manufacturing in Arizona
Andersen continues to expand its operations and recently opened a state-of-the-art, $105 million manufacturing facility in Goodyear, Arizona. The facility primarily manufactures Andersen 100 Series products.
If you’re looking for an energy efficient product and considering the Andersen 400 Series of windows, talk to one of our salesmen today to explore if it might be an ideal solution for your replacement windows. We can talk about energy efficiency all day long! Schedule your in-home estimate now.
