Simonton.com/EnergyStar supplies all the information needed to order the right windows for your home!

PARKERSBURG, W. VA. – On January 4th, 2010 the Energy Star® program introduced new criteria to improve energy performance levels of windows and doors for all regions of the country. As an Energy Star partner for the past eleven years, Simonton Windows® is prepared for the changes and has introduced Energy Star zone-specific packages for each product the company produces.

“We have made sure that every Simonton product line has an Energy Star specific glass package that can be easily ordered for each of the four climate zones within the program,” says Tony Eschmeyer, senior product manager for Simonton Windows.

Named for each Energy Star climate zone, (Northern, North-Central, South-Central and Southern) Simonton’s new Energy Star glass packages provide the optimal balance of thermal efficiency and value. Each package is optimized for the particular product line and geographic zone in which the window or door will be installed. Selecting the right glass package is as simple as:

1. Specifying the Simonton windows and doors you want.

2. Stating that you want ENERGY STAR qualified products.

3. Indicating your climate zone.

The simplest way homeowners and building industry professionals can gain information on ordering 2010 Energy Star qualified Simonton vinyl windows and doors is by visiting www.Simonton.com/EnergyStar. “Our dedicated web site makes it fast and easy for people to gain information on Simonton Energy Star qualified products,” says Eschmeyer. “We even offer a free climate zone identifier list download (by U.S. county), along with Energy Star consumer brochures to assist homeowners, remodelers and builders.”

Simonton also supports the 2010 Energy Star guidelines and pending legislation that would tie them in with the current federal energy tax credit program underway through 2010. “Different areas of the country experience different weather extremes,” says Eschmeyer. “It makes sense that windows and doors should be constructed and rated to handle the unique weather conditions in northern climates versus the southern coastline.

“The 2010 Energy Star guidelines are a positive step toward designating energy performance levels for all regions of the country within the four-zone Energy Star map. At Simonton, we’re ready to supply top-quality windows and doors that meet the 2010 Energy Star guidelines no matter what region a person resides in throughout the country.”

Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR® qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. For the second year in a row, Simonton ranked “Highest in Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction among Residential Window and Patio Door Manufacturers” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction StudySM. Simonton was also ranked #1 in quality in the 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best-In-Class Awards from Market Research Associates.

Founded in 1946, Simonton’s hallmark has been to deliver its made-to-order products in five days or less. Part of the home and security business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Simonton delivers award-winning products nationwide to key markets throughout the 48 continental United States. For information, call (800) SIMONTON (1-800-746-6686) or visit www.simonton.com.

At the beginning of the show, licensed contractor John DeSilvia comes into a home renovation (or remodeling) project offering homeowners smart advice on products and technologies, plus some essential how-to information. DeSilvia’s recommendations help homeowners save cash on the project and improve the value and comfort of their home.

“Show participants are very aware of the need to enhance their homes with top-quality products,” says Gary Pember, vice president of marketing at Simonton Windows. “We’re working closely with the show to provide participants with energy-efficient windows and doors that will have tremendous payback. These ENERGY STAR® qualified products enhance the interior and exterior beauty and comfort of the renovated home, while helping reduce energy costs.”

Several episodes of the show, featuring a variety of energy-efficient Simonton windows and doors, are being shot throughout the state of New York for airdates in 2010. Now in its second season on the DIY Network, 10 Grand in Your Hand challenges homeowners to make smart renovation decisions for their homes. One of the top three highest rated shows on the DIY Network, 10 Grand in Your Hand is produced by Boy Wonder Productions. The show airs on Wednesday evenings at 9pm EST on the DIY Network.

Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR® qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. For the second year in a row, Simonton ranked “Highest in Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction among Residential Window and Patio Door Manufacturers” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction StudySM. Simonton was also ranked #1 in quality in the 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best-In-Class Awards from Market Research Associates.

“This was an exceptional opportunity to have a productive interaction with the President on the need for more energy-efficient products and homes in America,” says Savan, president and COO of Simonton Windows, a Fortune Brands company. “President Obama is clearly dedicated to the goal of energy-efficiency in America. He was eager to discuss programs and procedures that would help Americans make their homes more energy efficient.

“Additionally, we talked about the challenge of adding potential incentives that would rally homeowners to adopt energy-saving technologies and products. I was sincerely impressed by the President’s eagerness to gain a greater understanding of the issues related to energy from the people gathered in the room. From all indications, he will use yesterday’s meeting to support strong initiatives to make homes and buildings more energy-efficient in the future.”

According to Savan, the President is extremely interested in finding solutions that will put more people to work in our country while making homes more energy-efficient. “I believe the varied input from everyone at the meeting has helped provide President Obama with additional insights into both the manufacturer’s viewpoints and the homeowner’s perspectives when it comes to energy-related home improvements,” says Savan.

Simonton strongly supports the pending legislation that would shift the federal tax credit from the .30/.30 requirement to align with the newly-introduced ENERGY STAR® 2010 standards. “The shift of the tax credit from the artificial criteria established in the stimulus bill to the newest ENERGY STAR label would help build on the success of the tax credit by providing consumers with the most energy-efficient window based on their particular home and the climate they live in,” says Savan. “At Simonton, we believe this legislation would be a positive step toward making it simpler for more Americans to participate in the federal energy tax credit program in 2010.”

Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. For the second year in a row, Simonton ranked “Highest in Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction among Residential Window and Patio Door Manufacturers” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction StudySM. Simonton was also ranked #1 in quality in the 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best-In-Class Awards from Market Research Associates.

Founded in 1946, Simonton’s hallmark has been to deliver its made-to-order products in five days or less. Part of the home and security business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Simonton delivers award-winning products nationwide to key markets throughout the 48 continental United States.

For information, call (800) SIMONTON (1-800-746-6686) or visit www.simonton.com.

I recently helped install some replacement windows in my dad’s house. Now I know some will think that adding vinyl replacement windows to a house isn’t exactly green. However, I beg to differ. The reality is any construction that reduces our dependency on petroleum fuels is green in my opinion.

Windows are one of the biggest losses of energy both heating and cooling in our homes. Advances in window technology have drastically improved the energy efficiency of windows today. The biggest advance today is the reasonable pricing of triple pane windows.

If you’re home has windows that are more than ten to fifteen years old then you might want to consider replacing them. Now is a great time to replace windows with the Stimulus Rebates for Windows.

Installing Replacement Windows

Installing replacement windows is actually not that hard. I recently wrote an article about How To Install Replacement Windows. In that article I go over all the steps involved with installing replacement windows. You’d be surprised at how easy it really can be.

For our project we ended up using Harvey Tribute replacement windows with triple pane glass, Low-E/Krypton filled with a U factor of 0.20. I’ve used these same windows in an Energy Star home we built and they are really great. We were able to install 5 replacment windows in about 4 hours.

The Tribute window can be ordered with triple pane glass filled with krypton gas to achieve a U factor of 0.20! That means these windows are about 60% more efficient than the standard double pane argon gas filled windows that we typically use.

Some of you may argue that vinyl windows are not exactly green. However, I argue that these windows have almost zero maintenance (no painting) and the energy savings over time make them a serious improvement for the environment.

Be sure to follow the Total House Construction Series over at my Home Improvement Blog if you’d like to read more about this great new Energy Star home that we’re building this fall.