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Money Saving and Energy Efficient Home Improvements for Value and Comfort Begin with ENERGY STAR

According to Energy Star, if you added up all the small holes in a typical home, the result would be the equivalent of leaving a window open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

ou are probably familiar with Energy Star ratings on appliances. You know that replacing an old appliance with a new, energy efficient TV, refrigerator or air conditioning unit can make a big difference in your monthly energy bill, but have you given any consideration to upgrading to new energy efficient windows, or adding energy efficient siding to your home?

The Energy Star Program…

The Energy Star program is a whole-house approach to energy efficiency, created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Energy Star program encourages energy efficiency home improvements across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors of the U.S. Economy. It helps homeowners to make better choices through unbiased information and objective measuring tools aligned with market-based partnerships for consumer outreach.

In 2010, with the help of Energy Star, Americans saved over $18 Billion in energy bills, and produced energy savings equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of 33 million cars!

Energy Star Replacement Windows…

Energy efficient windows and doors bearing the Energy Star label must be independently tested and certified by procedures established by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). The NFRC is a non-profit, third-party organization that sponsors objective, non-biased testing and certification of windows, doors and skylights. Energy Star takes the NFRC tested and certified products and rates the products for energy efficiency based on their ability to meet or exceed strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Dept. of Energy.

The combined certification and rating helps consumers compare various window products on the market for making informed choices. As different regions have different energy requirements, the energy efficient performance of a window product is determined by the climate zone where it is to be installed.

The two measures of energy efficiency for windows and doors include U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient.

• U-Factor, the first energy performance rating, measures heat transfer through a window and determines the capacity of the window to insulate. Lower U-factors are associated with better insulating functions which are particularly important during winter months. A low overall U-factor in cold weather means there will be less heat loss through the window and less energy required for heating that living space.

• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, the second performance rating, measures how much solar heat is admitted into your home through the window. An important measurement during summer months, the SHGC represents the performance of a window for blocking heat caused by sunlight. A lower SHGC means that the window is more effective in blocking heat through solar radiation. This keeps a home cooler in warm weather and saves on air conditioning costs.

EPA and DOE statistics show ENERGY STAR qualified windows, exterior doors, and skylights can reduce your energy bills up to 15% while helping to protect the environment. Replacing your old drafty windows now will reduce your cooling costs in the summer and keep the chill out of your Boston area home in winter. These home improvements will pay for themselves with energy savings for many years to come.

Expert Window Replacement Installation for Energy Savings and Comfort

Window replacement is the single most important home improvement for saving your money in energy costs. Without proper installation of your Energy Star replacement windows however, leaks and cracks around windows provide an exit portal for warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer. Of course, these leaks rob you of energy savings as well as comfort.

Your best value in energy savings will be achieved when you choose ENERGY STAR rated windows installed by a specialty window contractor.

Expert window installers assure that your quality beautiful windows will have a proper fit for eliminating leaky drafts and maximizing your comfort and fuel savings. An extra bonus is the low maintenance and easy cleaning associated with your new Energy Star replacement windows.

Warm Energy Efficient Vinyl Siding Seals Your Home and Saves on Heating Costs…

When you choose MasterCraft for you vinyl siding, you will receive an Automatic Upgrade from foil to Polystyrene Energy Star Rated Underlayment. This upgrade increases your home’s R value by 2.8, further reducing your utility costs! (A $500 value for most siding projects.)

In a July 2009 study conducted by Newport Ventures and the Vinyl Siding Institute using EPA standards for green building, standard vinyl siding was shown to have a better environmental score than brick, stucco or cedar. In fact, of the top four siding products by market share, vinyl siding outperforms the market average by 77 percent. Standard vinyl siding can reduce a homeowner’s utility bill with an estimated 2% - 5% SAVINGS, depending on geographic location.

DRAFTY HOME?  Need an energy efficient home improvement makeover?

s a qualified and licensed Specialty Residential and Commercial Contractor in the Greater Boston area, MasterCraft can assist you in plugging those nasty and expensive leaks that cost you money and comfort. We’ll spend time with you assessing your needs and explaining your options. We’ll provide you with the best, most energy efficient products in the industry, backed by Energy Star ratings and installed by master craftsmen in each area of service you require. At MasterCraft, your satisfaction is important to us and we offer both manufacturers’ and workmanship warranties.

Energy Star and MasterCraft —working together to provide you with home comfort, energy savings and a greener environment!