Energy-Efficient Home

U.S. Department of Energy Guide to Energy-Efficient Windows, Doors and Skylights

Energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights-also known as fenestration-can help lower a home's heating, cooling and lighting costs. Learn about their energy performance ratings and how to maximize their energy efficiency in your home:

Exterior Doors

An exterior door can contribute significantly to air leakage in a home-as well as some heat transfer-if it's old, not properly installed, and/or not properly air sealed. This can result in energy losses.

Here you'll find the following information:

• Selecting new exterior doors
• Adding storm doors to existing doors
• Weatherstripping existing doors to prevent air leakage

Skylights

A skylight can provide your home with daylighting and warmth. When properly selected and installed, an energy-efficient skylight can help minimize your heating, cooling, and lighting costs.

Maximizing a skylight's performance in your home involves three steps:

• Design

  Consider your home's design and climate in relation to the energy performance of a skylight.

• Selection

  Find a skylight that meets your energy performance requirements.

• Installation

  Ensure proper installation of skylights to maximize their energy efficiency.

Windows

Windows provide our homes with light, warmth, and ventilation, but they can also negatively impact a home's energy efficiency. You can reduce energy costs by installing energy-efficient windows in your home. Some energy efficiency improvements to existing windows can also help.

Here you'll find information about how to do the following:

• Select new energy-efficient windows
• Improve the energy efficiency of existing windows.