Energy Efficient Entry Doors: How to Choose

Choosing an energy-efficient entry door [1] is a great way to banish chills and welcome lower utility bills this season. There’s also a tax incentive in it for you: homeowners who replace older, less efficient doors with newer, better-insulated models get a tax credit [2] equal to 30 percent of the door’s cost when installed now through December 2010.

That tax incentive and trimmed utility bills add up to valuable long-term savings. Here are three important energy- and money-saving factors to look for as you select a new front door [3]:Alt=energy efficient entry door how to choose

The Energy Star: Make sure your choice is Energy Star [4] qualified and meets the additional requirements for the federal tax credit [5]. On both counts, that means it should have an acceptable Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and U-Factor.

NFRC Certification: Certification from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC [6]) tells you that a door will help you save money on energy costs while protecting the environment through energy efficiency.

High R-Value: R-Value is a measure of thermal resistance, and the higher the R-Value is, the better the insulation. For example, a six-panel wood door will typically have an R-Value of 2 while a fiberglass door [7] system can offer/may have an R-Value of 10 or 12.

As you shop for your efficient new entry door [3], there will be hundreds of designs to choose from. Style is subjective, but remember that materials always matter. Compared with traditional wood and steel doors, fiberglass models [8] usher in the best qualities for your energy-saving investment: they won’t rot, crack or split like wood doors, and don’t dent, rust or corrode like steel doors. They also offer five times the insulation of wood and withstand a range of temperatures and weather elements beautifully. Combine your vision of curb appeal [9] with energy efficiency, and you’ll host lower utility costs for years to come!