Late last year Windsor reported the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), had released their draft criteria for the next version of Energy Star for windows and patio doors, 7.0. Version 7.0 contains significant u-value improvements for all four climate zones with the Northern Zone moving from 0.27 to a 0.22. In addition, the EPA put sliding patio doors into the window category.
Since this initial draft criteria release, the industry had a chance to review and issue responses to the initial criteria. Many window and patio door companies, including Windsor, as well as industry organizations such as WDMA, of which Windsor is a member, submitted responses. The EPA reviewed these responses and issued the Draft 2 Specification in mid-February.
The following are some of the Draft 2 Specification changes made as a result of the responses submitted to EPA.
- Updated Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) values for the Northern Zone trade-offs.
- Moved sliding patio doors back to the swinging door criteria where it had been in version 6.0.
- By adding the sliding patio doors back with the swinging patio doors, the EPA improved the u-value requirements for all patio doors > than ½-lite from a 0.28 to a 0.25.
- Made some minor modifications to the general four zone Energy Star map.
Below is the updated window and patio door Draft 2 Specification criteria and the Energy Star zone map.
As with the Draft 1 Specification, Windsor will be submitting a response to the Draft 2 Specification. The current implementation timeline for version 7.0 is as follows:
- Version 7.0 Final draft – May/June 2022
- Version 7.0 Final – June/July 2022
- Version 7.0 Effective – June/July 2023
We will continue to be engaged in this process and provide updates as they become available.