Local Victoria company manufactures Energy Star windows, meeting new standards that came into effect January 1, 2020
The window and patio door manufacturing business has experienced some significant changes to ENERGY STAR compliance, which came into effect January 1, 2020. Van Isle Windows Ltd., a local manufacturer based in Victoria, at 404 Hillside Avenue, has been able to address these changes and as a result, continue to maintain their ENERGY STAR ratings.
Deceuninck North America, a PVC extrusion company that produces window and patio door systems, worked with Van Isle Windows and designed this series specifically for the West Coast. Deceuninck North America is an industry leader, and is one of the most innovative and imaginative extruding companies in the world, and Van Isle Windows is extremely pleased and excited to be one of their extrusion partners. As a result of this new series, they are in a unique position to manufacture and deliver locally built custom-made windows and patio doors, and provide these ENERGY STAR rated efficient products to their customers. As a matter of fact, they created two unique ENERGY STAR, high performance most efficient windows on the market today in this region, as recognized and awarded by Fenestration BC.
Launching this window and patio door series required time to plan and execute. Critical to attaining ENERGY STAR compliance, the windows and patio doors had to undergo strict testing and inspection processes in order to be certified and labelled. In a test lab, such things as structural and wind load testing occurred, along with modelling the insulated glass units. Within the factory setting, changes to tooling and some manufacturing equipment was also required.
Up until this change came into effect, there were 3 zones across Canada. These zones had a correlation to various climate conditions nationally, so the ENERGY STAR ratings varied across Canada. As of January 1, 2020, it was changed to 1 zone, meaning standardization across the country. All ENERGY STAR windows and patio doors now manufactured for Vancouver Island (all of British Columbia for that matter) need to have the same energy efficiency ratings, as windows used in other provinces, where much harsher winter conditions are in effect.
“This change was needed in order to remain competitive and maintain our ENERGY STAR ratings in all our product lines.” “With the changes to ENERGY STAR compliance, many manufacturers are still not meeting them today.” says Linda Gourlay, General Manager, Van Isle Windows Ltd.
With their goal to contribute toward reducing greenhouse gases, Van Isle Windows felt it was important to provide options to customers who need ENERGY STAR ratings. The new series is available in either a double pane or triple pane window option in patio doors, sliding windows and casement style windows. With most new construction project builds specifying ENERGY STAR compliant windows and patio doors, the triple pane product lines are available for those customers, as well as for customers just looking for higher energy efficiency. For customers that do not require ENERGY STAR ratings, the series is available in a double pane option.Van Isle Windows has created a viable solution, meeting the needs of certain home specs, as well as assisting those customers who want to be active participants in reducing their carbon footprint.
In order to meet ENERGY STAR, the new requirement today is a U-factor of 1.22 or lower. The lower the number, the better efficiency.
