ENERGY STAR Windows for Clearwater
Save Money on Your Electric Bills with Energy-Efficient Windows & Doors!
Discover how you can get windows and doors that help you reduce your Clearwater home’s energy consumption by better insulating your home against outdoor temperatures.
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How ENERGY STAR Windows Help You Save
ENERGY STAR is a government program that helps homeowners find energy-efficient products to use in their homes to help them reduce their electricity consumption and carbon footprint. ENERGY STAR certified windows have efficiency-enhancing features to help seal your home against the heat in Clearwater.
Energy Savings Calculator
Discover Your Potential Annual Energy Savings
Adjust the slider below to match what your current monthly electricity bill is to see an estimate of your potential annual savings*:
*Based on figures determined by ENERGY STAR when upgrading from a single-pane ‘clear’ window to an ENERGY STAR compliant window at an average 12% energy consumption reduction.
What Does ENERGY STAR Assess?
U-Factor
U-factor is a key metric used by the ENERGY STAR program to determine a window’s insulation. For Southern climate zones, the program recommends windows have a U-factor rating under 0.32.
SHGC
SHGC, or Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, is a measure of how much of the sun’s heat gets through a window. ENERGY Star windows must have an SHGC of 0.23 or lower to qualify as compliant.
NFRC Testing
To earn ENERGY STAR certified status, a window must first be inspected by an independent body such as the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) to verify its energy efficiency characteristics.
Clearwater ENERGY STAR Window Options
Impact Windows
Double Hung Windows
Sliding Windows
Picture Windows
Casement Windows
Awning Windows
Bay Windows
Custom Windows
Clearwater ENERGY STAR Doors
In Clearwater, the hot, humid air is a constant source of discomfort. If your doors aren’t properly sealed, that moisture can easily infiltrate your home. Get ENERGY STAR certified doors backed with top-class insulation and weatherstripping that minimizes air leakage between your home and the outdoors to keep your home cool and comfy even on the muggiest days.
ENERGY STAR Door Options
Sliding Glass Doors
Standard Sliding Patio Doors
Pocket Sliding Doors
Bi-Parting Doors
Exterior Doors
Entry Doors
Double Entry Doors
French Doors
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Clearwater ENERGY STAR Windows FAQs
Are ENERGY STAR Windows Worth It?
Purchasing windows that have earned ENERGY STAR certification may be initially more costly than getting basic windows that lack energy efficiency-enhancing features like low-e glass, improved insulation, argon gas fill, and extra layers of glass.
However, the cost over time of the “cheaper” window may be higher in the long run.
ENERGY STAR certified windows provide a consistent long-term savings on energy bills since your home’s climate control system doesn’t have to work quite as hard, saving electricity for your home.
Additionally, because there’s less air leakage with an ENERGY STAR window, you can enjoy enhanced comfort in your home with fewer drafts and less air infiltration.
According to data from an ENERGY STAR estimate, the average homeowner in Jacksonville, FL can save around $536 a year if they replace their clear, single-pane glass windows with ENERGY STAR-compliant windows. However, that’s just an average based on a $0.15 electricity billing rate.
The more energy your home uses to maintain a comfortable temperature, the bigger the savings you can realize for putting in ENERGY STAR v7.0-compliant windows. So, if your home typically needs more energy to keep cool in summer and warm in winter, you stand to save even more money each year by replacing your windows.
In addition to the monetary savings, adding ENERGY STAR windows to your home helps reduce your carbon footprint. This makes them an ideal upgrade for any homeowner who wants to be more environmentally-conscious.
What Is an ENERGY STAR Window?
An ENERGY STAR window is a window that has been certified to meet certain energy performance standards set by the EPA, which are independently tested by the NFRC.
These windows help homeowners reduce their energy consumption for their home’s climate control systems, leading to reduced energy bills and a greener environment.
What are the standards a window needs to meet to be ENERGY STAR v7.0 compliant? The answer actually changes from one “climate zone” to the next.
In northern climate zones, a window would need to have a u factor of 0.22 or less and an SHGC of 0.17 or more to be considered ENERGY STAR certified. However, here in Florida, which is in the Southern climate zone, the u-factor of a window has to be 0.32 or less and the SHGC has to be 0.23 or less.
Why is there a difference between requiring low SHGC in Florida vs higher SHGC in Northern climates? Because, in Florida, the goal for the majority of the year is to keep your home cool. Meanwhile, in northern climates, the goal is to keep the home warmer.
Higher Solar Heat Gain Coefficient values allow more of the sun’s heat inside the home. That’s desirable in the north, but bad in the south where temperatures run high and your air conditioner has to work overtime year-round.
Do ENERGY STAR Windows Qualify for Tax Credits?
ENERGY STAR certified windows can qualify for environmental tax credits IF they meet the “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” criteria for the climate zone you’re installing your windows in.
If you go to the NFRC’s Certified Product Directory (CPD) search page and find your window on it using the CPD number, check to see if the window has a green shade for your climate area. If it does, it may qualify for “energy efficient home improvement” tax credits.
These tax credits for the 2025 fiscal year can be worth up to $3,200 off your federal income taxes.
However, it is important to note that windows will only count for a part of that maximum tax credit. According to the IRS website, windows can earn up to $600 total tax credits. To get the maximum tax credit, you’ll need to make broader improvements to your home’s energy efficiency. For example, energy efficient doors can earn a tax credit of $250 per door (up to $500 total), and adding new insulation can earn up to $1,200 in tax credits (which also helps ensure you get the biggest energy savings for your home).
What Are the Climate Zones Per ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR separates the USA into four distinct Climate Zones:
- Northern
- North-Central
- South-Central
- Southern
Florida is wholly within the “Southern” region of the ENERGY STAR Climate Zone Map. We’re one of only two states to fall completely within this zone (the other being Hawaii).
So, when checking the ENERGY STAR certification for windows, make sure that they’re certified for the Southern Climate Zone.
Does Installation Affect My Window’s Energy Efficiency?
Yes! The quality of your new window installation can absolutely affect the energy efficiency of your new window.
A window can have all of the best insulation and energy efficiency features on the market, but if there’s a gap around the window frame, it will leak air between your home and the outside.
A high-quality window installation where the installer ensures that there is no gap around the window, adds insulation to the area around the window frame, and ensures that the new window is seated properly in the opening creates a tight seal that better protects your home and makes the most of the energy efficiency features of your window.
This is why it’s important to work with installers who know what they’re doing and are dedicated to doing things the right way.
Will Low-E Glass Meet ENERGY STAR Requirements?
Energy Star v7.0 has some strict requirements for windows, doors, and skylights. Using low-e glass in your window or door can help it meet these requirements, but that alone doesn’t guarantee compliance.
When buying new windows and doors, look at the U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) figures for that product to see if they meet the program’s requirements.
For windows in the southern U.S. to meet Energy Star v7.0 standards, they must have a U-factor of 0.32 or less and an SHGC of 0.23 or less. Door requirements would be 0.50 or lower U-factor and 0.25 or less SHGC.
Look for the ENERGY STAR mark on the product and verify it through the Energy Star product finder page.
Are Impact Windows More Energy Efficient?
When variables such as coatings and frame materials are the same, impact windows do tend to be more energy efficient compared to single-pane non-impact windows.
This is because of how impact windows tend to be constructed. Impact windows typically include multiple layers of glass, air gaps (sometimes filled with inert gases) to inhibit heat transfer between the home and the outside, laminate interlayers, and heavier construction.
These features tend to make impact windows more energy efficient than similar non-impact windows.
For example, if you look at ENERGY STAR’s energy efficiency savings chart for clear glass windows, you can see how much money the average homeowner could save by changing from single pane clear glass windows or double pane clear glass windows to an ENERGY STAR certified window. In all cases, the cost savings going from a single pane clear glass window to an ENERGY STAR window was larger than going from a double pane window to the ENERGY STAR window (though the ENERGY STAR window still provided a significant savings over the double pane clear window).
In the Southern Climate zone, switching from single pane to ENERGY STAR windows saves an average of $563/year, while switching from double pane clear glass windows saves $373/year. In other words, the double pane window was already about $190 more energy-efficient than the single-pane windows.
Merely having two panes of glass provides a significant energy savings that can be quantified with hard numbers!
Reasons to Get ENERGY STAR Windows from Karoly
If you want ENERGY STAR-certified windows, Karoly Windows & Doors is your best choice in Clearwater. Why? Because Karoly:
Has 20+ Years of Experience. We’ve worked with homeowners throughout the greater Tampa Bay area for over 20 years, earning accolades and positive reviews for our dedication to quality and service.
Isn’t Beholden to a Single Manufacturer. We work with multiple window and door manufacturers so we can get the best deals on new windows and doors for your needs.
Does the Work the Right Way Every Time. Our installation techs are all in-house employees who are held to our company’s high standards. With Karoly, you never have to worry about an unskilled third-party contractor doing the job incorrectly. You get experienced techs who are on the Karoly payroll.
Specializes in Florida Residential Windows. We’re a locally-owned Florida-based business that specializes in windows and doors made for the Floridian market. We know the Florida Building Code and how to uphold it so you can trust your new windows to last.
Offers a Platinum Standard Lifetime Guarantee. We back every window installation with a lifetime guarantee that includes a 25-year installation warranty and a 50-year material warranty so you can have peace of mind.
Get your energy-efficient windows and doors from Clearwater’s most trusted window replacement company so you can rest easy knowing that your new windows will protect your pocketbook from rising energy costs for decades to come.
Areas We Serve
Need energy-efficient windows for your home? Karoly Windows & Doors is here to help! We provide window and door installation services for homeowners in the following areas:
The Clear Choice in Clearwater!
