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Pella’s Energy Claim Methodology and Assumptions

Methodology & Assumptions

  • Window energy efficiency was determined by computer simulation using RESFEN 5.0 computer program, developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
  • Window related energy consumption of existing windows were compared to replacement windows using the same home model
  • The change in window related energy consumption was used to calculate the improvement in window energy efficiency
  • Calculations were conducted using the default parameters for each location as established in RESFEN 5.0
  • The construction selected was an existing one-story frame construction
  • The HVAC system type selected was a gas furnace and electric AC for all locations
  • The floor area assumed was 2,000 square feet
  • The window area assumed was 15% of the floor space (300 square feet of window area) with equal distribution of windows on each side of the home
  • The calculations did not include any assumed energy efficiency improvements for improved air infiltration
  • The existing window selected to compare against in all locations was a wood or vinyl single-pane window with clear glass (U = .84, SHGC = .63)
  • Replacement windows selected to compare against in all locations for Pella® products included:
    • 350 series products analyzed
      • 350 series double hung window with 1-1/4" Advanced Low-E Triple-pane IG with argon with 3 mm glass (U = 0.19, SHGC = 0.24)
      • 350 series casement window with 1-1/4" Advanced Low-E Triple-pane IG with argon with 3 mm glass (U = 0.17, SHGC = 0.20)
      • 350 series fixed window with 1-1/4" Advanced Low-E Triple-pane IG with argon with 3 mm glass (U = 0.15, SHGC = 0.27)
    • Designer Series® products analyzed
      • Designer Series double hung window with 5/8" Advanced Low-E IG with 2.5 mm glass with argon with 2.5 mm Low-E HGP (U = 0.24, SHGC = 0.24)
      • Designer Series casement window with 5/8" Advanced Low-E IG with argon with 2.5 mm Low-E HGP (U = 0.26, SHGC = 0.22)
      • Designer Series fixed casement window with 5/8" Advanced Low-E IG with argon with 2.5 mm Low-E HGP (U = 0.23, SHGC = 0.25)
  • The window energy efficiency comparison was made for 94 cities. The 94 cities are the same cities ENERGY STAR posted city energy savings estimates for on their website as of 11/2/12. The cities are a sampling of all 50 states except Hawaii, consistent with the approach by ENERGY STAR. The table below lists the cities analyzed.

Cities Selected to Calculate Energy Efficiency

Cities Pella Selected to Calculate Energy Efficiency
(Cities in alphabetical order listed by state abbreviation first and followed by the name of the city)
1) AK Anchorage 25) FL Tallahassee 49) MO St. Louis 73) RI Providence
2) AK Fairbanks 26) FL Tampa 50) MS Jackson 74) SC Charleston
3) AL Birmingham 27) GA Atlanta 51) MT Billings 75) SC Greenville
4) AL Mobile 28) GA Savannah 52) MT Great Falls 76) SD Pierre
5) AR Little Rock 29) IA Des Moines 53) NC Charlotte 77) TN Memphis
6) AZ Flagstaff 30) ID Boise 54) NC Raleigh 78) TN Nashville
7) AZ Phoenix 31) IL Chicago 55) ND Bismarck 79) TX Amarillo
8) AZ Prescott 32) IL Springfield 56) NE Omaha 80) TX El Paso
9) AZ Tucson 33) IN Indianapolis 57) NH Concord 81) TX Fort Worth
10) CA Arcata 34) KS Wichita 58) NJ Atlantic City 82) TX Houston
11) CA Bakersfield 35) KY Lexington 59) NM Albuquerque 83) TX Lubbock
12) CA Daggett 36) KY Louisville 60) NV Las Vegas 84) TX San Antonio
13) CA Fresno 37) LA New Orleans 61) NV Reno 85) UT Cedar City
14) CA Los Angeles 38) LA Shreveport 62) NY Albany 86) UT Salt Lake City
15) CA Sacramento 39) MA Boston 63) NY Buffalo 87) VA Richmond
16) CA San Diego 40) MD Baltimore 64) NY New York City 88) DC Washington
17) CA San Francisco 41) ME Portland 65) OH Cleveland 89) VT Burlington
18) CO Denver 42) MI Detroit 66) OH Dayton 90) WA Seattle
19) CO Grand Junction 43) MI Grand Rapids 67) OK Oklahoma City 91) WA Spokane
20) CT Hartford 44) MI Houghton 68) OR Medford 92) WI Madison
21) DE Wilmington 45) MN Duluth 69) OR Portland 93) WV Charleston
22) FL Daytona Beach 46) MN International Falls 70) PA Philadelphia 94) WY Cheyenne
23) FL Jacksonville 47) MN Minneapolis 71) PA Pittsburgh
24) FL Miami 48) MO Kansas City 72) PA Wilkes-Barre