Looking Through the Glass

Winter is just around the corner, and I’m sure at some point you have told your kids, “we are not paying to heat the outside, so keep the window closed!” Unfortunately, 25-30% of heat loss goes right out of a typical brand name window which means you could be paying to heat the outside even if your windows and doors are shut tight!

Serious Windows = Alpen High Performance Products

In a previous post we talked all about the benefits of Serious Windows, however, there has been some changes in the company.  A press release  indicated Serious Windows was recently purchased by Alpen HPP, LLC.  The great thing about the transition is that only the name has changed, all the information is still the same and you are still getting a great energy efficient window. Alpen High Performance Products will continue to manufacture the same highly energy efficient fiberglass window and architectural glass products for residential and commercial applications

Advantages to Fiberglass Windows

What makes Alpen’s windows so energy efficient is the fact that they are made of fiberglass.  Fiberglass windows are more energy efficient, durable, stronger, aesthetically appealing and environmentally friendly compared to typical wood, aluminum or vinyl window. Fiberglass is also made with silica sand, an abundant natural resource that is readily available almost everywhere.  A few of the most important benefits include:

1. High condensation resistance which helps keep humidity within a proper range and limits the growth of mold and mildew.
2. Performs well in humidity extremes and hot and cold environments.
3. Tight seals maintain the resistance to air leakage and water penetration.
4. Does not rot or warp.
5. Easy to install

Fiberglass windows are a smart choice for green building for several reasons. First, they have high R-Values and low U-factors which will save energy for decades. When shopping for windows, you want one with a high R-Value and a low U-factor. Other window companies rarely mention the R-Value of their windows, and when they do, they use the R-Value taken at the center of the glass, which is the most efficient part of the window.  Alpen advertises the full frame R-Value of their windows.

Second, Alpen’s windows uses suspended film technology. Suspended film windows are much more energy efficient then the typical dual pane windows. Suspended film combines both thin film and glass-based coatings to create a lightweight, multi-chamber insulating glass unity that reflects heat and harmful UV radiation while maximizing light transmission and superior insulating performance.

Tuned Glazing Package

Alpen glass technologies offers the ability to provide a “Tuned Glazing” window package which are suspended film windows equipped with coatings technology that uses the sun to its advantage depending on the orientation of the home. For example, a window that has a low solar heat gain can be put on the south facing wall of the home. This will help heat the home in the winter months. This can also improve the use of natural daylight and views. High solar heat gain windows would be beneficial on other elevations of the home, especially the west, because they are more energy efficient overall and help keep heat out of the home during the summer months.

Alpen’s windows has a full lifetime warranty for as long as you own and reside in your home, which is one of the strongest warranties in the industry.

Great Lakes Carpentry specializes in high performance home building. We strive to build super-insulated building envelopes and Alpen windows are the perfect window in helping us achieve these goals.

To learn more about Alpen High Performance Products or energy efficient home building contact us at info@greatlakescarpentry.com. Also, check out Great Lakes Carpentry else where on the web: Facebook, Twitter, and our Website.

Net-Zero: The Next Fontier

You’ve made the decision to build an energy efficient home, why not take it to the next level and build a Net-Zero Energy home?

This is our “Energy Sipper” home. We achieved Passive House air-tightness standard. This home achieved a HERS score of 37 and is the perfect candidate to go Net-Zero.

A net- zero energy home produces as much renewable energy as it uses annually.  This will help you achieve a net- zero energy cost.  This happens when the utility company is paying the  home owner for the renewable energy the home exports to the grid. A net zero energy home is actually producing just as much energy as it consumes. Another benefit of having a net-zero energy home is having net-zero Energy Emissions.  The home produces enough emissions-free renewable energy to offset emissions from all energy used in the home annually.

Net-Zero energy consumption is typically done through the use of solar panels. Solar panels will allow you to take and store energy from the sun. For example; during the summer months when the sun rays are the strongest, your solar panels will be gathering and producing energy. Through out this process, you are feeding the energy you produce and don’t use back to the grid.  Which means you are essentially building a credit with the power company. Then when you do need to use more energy, like in the winter months, you won’t pay anything since you already have that credit built up.

The US Department of Energy hopes to have a national standard of net-zero building by 2030.  That will put the U.S far behind countries such as Canada which have started implementing energy efficiency standards for home builders two years ago. Canada’s “Path to Net Zero” project outlines how they want to achieve an energy efficiency standard in every house hold.

That is not to say the U.S has made no progress. . However, in order to make a significant difference we need to start implementing these building practices now in order to help preserve our environment and resources. Here are some links to home owners and businesses that are turning to net-zero energy

Fort Collins, Colorado on Track to Net Zero

A 20 Year Old Energy Efficient House Goes to Net Zero In Florida

Largest American Net Zero Energy Campus Community Embraces Clean Energy

Net Zero Energy Energy Home in Rural Tennessee

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Great Lakes Carpentry Focuses on Energy

Great Lakes Carpentry is committed to building energy-efficient homes.  We conduct home performance testing for our new homes through the Focus on Energy New Homes Program.  We also provide performance testing for our remodeling projects through Home Performance with Energy Star.

Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities’ statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program.  Great Lakes Carpentry is a member of  the Focus on Energy New Homes Program and is dedicated to helping Wisconsin residents and businesses save money, energy, and protect the environment.

– Focus on Energy has received the highest level of international recognition for managing environmental impacts and instituting a culture of continuous improvement.

– Focus on Energy offers incentive programs for residents and business . Follow the links to learn more about each.

– Through the Focus on Energy New Homes Program, we provide third-party testing of your home. The third-party is responsible for testing the home for energy efficiency.

– Did you know Focus on Energy offers a program to recycle your old appliances such as microwaves and refrigerators for FREE? Now you do.

To learn more about Focus on Energy visit their website: wwww.focusonenergy.com.