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CPIA: PVC/vinyl window and door frames help reduce energy consumption
3/14/2012 |
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Homeowners who installed window and patio door frames made of PVC/vinyl - a kind of Energy Star certified product - are able to reduce energy consumption by 7-12%, the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) states in a press release quoting Natural Resources Canada.
CPIA says that homeowners who replace their old windows and doors with Energy Star qualified products in Canada can save 7% on their energy bills and buyers of new homes with Energy Star products can save up to 12%, according to Natural Resources Canada. Quoting hydroelectricity company Hydro-Québec, the association adds that windows and patio doors bearing the Energy Star symbol are 20% to 40% more efficient than other systems.
PVC window frames and sash corners are fusion-welded not only for strength, but also for protection against air and water infiltration, because vinyl does a good job of blocking heat transfer, explains CPIA. Vinyl is also said to be more energy efficient than other systems, not only when it is being manufactured but also during use. The material is widely used in building and construction due to its strength, resistance to moisture, abrasion, rot and corrosion.
CPIA adds that vinyl products never need painting and can be cleaned with mild cleaners. Besides, they can remain in use for many decades and then be recycled.
"When building or renovating your home, making the right choice of windows and doors will have a long-term effect on the energy efficiency of your home, avoiding costly replacement projects in future," designer Piero Facchin, who is based in Montreal, Canada, is quoted as saying. "It's a better return on investment to initially install PVC windows and doors that promise a long and reliable service life, particularly in delivering energy savings."
The association representing Canada's plastics industry remarks that Energy Star certified products like PVC windows/doors are guaranteed to be energy efficient, saving on heating and cooling costs which result in a reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy generation and usage. PVC window and door systems help architects to achieve points in green building rating systems like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Globes. |
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