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ENERGY STAR® Canada, one of the most demanding Energy conservation programs in the world

The ENERGY STAR® Canada symbol is recognized and trusted by Canadian consumers. Identifying tested high efficiency products that meet the current standards of Canadian government certification.

ENERGY STAR Lg Logo

  • ENERGY STAR Canada is a voluntary partnership between the government and more than 1,000 organizations working to use our natural resources more wisely through greater energy efficiency run by Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN).
  • Behind each ENERGY STAR Canada label is a product that is certified to use less energy, reducing emissions that contribute to climate change.

COLUMBIA SKYLIGHTS & ENERGY STAR® CANADA

The Canadian manufacturer producing the widest range of
ENERGY STAR® Canada certified skylights
  • As a proud participant for over 15 years we support the ENERGY STAR Canada program and the benefits it brings to Canadian consumers and the environment.
  • Don’t be misled by companies that use the ENERGY STAR Canada on their packaging when it doesn’t apply to the product in the box. Some manufacturers who say they are ENERGY STAR Canada certified are using the pre-2020 ratings.
  • Columbia produces the largest range of ENERGY STAR Canada certified product models – fixed and venting in standard and custom sizes.
  • As a Canadian company we have the experience and manufacturing proficiency to build a skylight that can withstand the extremes of our climate.

THE ONLY SKYLIGHT MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED
BY ENERGY STAR CANADA

ENERGY STAR 2022 Logo

Winner of the 2022 ENERGY STAR® Special Recognition Award

Columbia is recognized by ENERGY STAR Canada for the second year in a row. Columbia is proud to be the only skylight supplier to the Canadian market to have been recognized by ENERGY STAR Canada.

ENERGY STAR 2021 Award Logo

Winner of the 2021 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award

As recognition of Columbia’s commitment, we were the recipient of the 2021 ENERGY STAR Canada Sustained Excellence Award, acknowledging our long term performance in producing the most energy efficient skylights in Canada.

ENERGY STAR® Canada Version 5 was released January 1st 2020, making Canada one zone

  • Make sure you choose a skylight that meets the current regulations. Since its inception, ENERGY STAR has continually increased its certification criteria, helping consumers to choose the most advanced energy efficient products.
  • Some skylight manufacturers still use the pre-2020 standards on their marketing and packaging. Make sure you are buying a product that meets the current standard.
  • Some fenestration companies have less than 10% of their products that qualify for ENERGY STAR Canada’s current certification. We recommend you check before you purchase.
  • If you are looking to buy Canadian manufactured products, support local industry and workers, Columbia skylights are one of two Canadian manufacturers on the ENERGY STAR Canada list, the rest are manufactured in other countries.

Energy Star Canada Tip

How to read Columbia’s ENERGY STAR® Canada certification label

Here is a guide on how to read the ENERGY STAR® Canada label so you are able to choose the most energy efficient products for you and your family. On the label are all the test results and how your skylight performed.

Skylight ENERGY STAR Label

  1. Look for the official ENERGY STAR® Canada logo
  2. Canada only has one region.
  3. Official NFRC Certification. Assurance that your product has been tested.
  4. Product manufacturer, name and description.
  5. U-Value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rating. The lower the better.
  6. Visible Transmittance rating.
  7. Manufacturers confirmation that the data is accurate.

The performance rating explained

  • The thermal evaluation and certification of skylights are based on a number of criteria. They are reviewed below.
  • All of these performance criteria have a different impact on your skylight’s energy efficiency and work in unison.

Degree Of Heat Loss

U-Value – Degree of Heat Loss
  • U-Value measures the insulating characteristics of the glass, or how much heat flow or heat loss occurs through the glass due to the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.
  • How quickly heat from hot air (not direct sunlight) will pass through the glass.
  • U-Values generally range from 0.1 (very little heat loss) to 1.0 (high heat loss) BTU/h∙ft2F. The lower the U-Value the better the insulation.
  • ENERGY STAR® utilizes U-Value to determine certification.
  • Some ways to improve U-Values:
    • Use double or triple glazed glass units.
    • Argon gas in the cavity between panes of glass.
    • Optimize the cavity size between panes of glass.
    • Warm edge spacers that create an effective thermal barrier.
    • Use LoE3 coatings (coatings can be used on more than one surface).

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, SHGC
  • Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is the amount of solar radiation passing through a skylight — either transmitted directly and/or absorbed, and subsequently released as heat inside a home.
  • The amount of Solar Heat Gain is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a skylight’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, the less solar heat is transmitted.
  • Objects (such as glass) impacted by sunlight absorb its visible and short-wave infrared components, increase in temperature, and then re-radiate that heat at longer infrared wavelengths.
  • Solar gain is used as a standard way of reporting the thermal properties of skylight and window assemblies

Visible Transmittance

Visible Transmittance, VT
  • Visible Transmittance is the amount of light in the visible portion of the light spectrum that passes through the glass and into your home.
  • VT – expressed as a number from 0 to 1. The higher the number, the greater the amount of light that is passing through the glass.
  • High performance skylights with LoE3 coatings can allow relatively high amounts of visible light to pass through the glass while repelling the solar heat gain – the more solar heat gain being filtered out, the less light transmittance.
  • Some examples:
    • VT 0.50 would be 50% of the light is entering the home.
    • VT .80 would be 80% of the light is entering the home.

ENERGY STAR® Canada, part of a complete sustainable home system

Using ENERGY STAR Canada certified products can turn your home into an energy saving system. By choosing skylights, windows, and doors with the superior energy rating, you create a consistent barrier against energy loss and are able to regulate the interior climate – increasing your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
  • It is important to utilize all the components of your house in the battle against energy loss, such as insulating the walls and roof with the latest ENERGY STAR® Canada rated materials.
  • Venting skylights can naturally cool your home in the summer by releasing hot air that has collected in your living space, reducing your reliance on air conditioning.

CHOOSE ENERGY STAR® CANADA CERTIFIED SKYLIGHTS, DOORS, WINDOWS – AND THE MATERIALS THAT MAKE UP YOUR BUILDING ENVELOPE

For maximum energy efficiency, don’t mix double and triple glazing, and properly insulate your walls and ceilings

  • When specifying your renovation or new build, it is not recommended to try and save money by not using the same rating of ENERGY STAR Canada glazing throughout the home.
  • If you’re investing in triple glazing, it is optimal to use it for all skylights and windows, creating a consistent barrier against energy loss.
  • The greatest impact on your home’s energy efficiency is to properly insulate your walls, ceiling and roof space.

Energystar Efficiency House Diagram

Energystar Airflow House Diagram

Hot air rises – naturally cool your home and save money in the summer with venting skylights

  • Venting skylights allow you to moderate interior temperature caused by solar heat gain, cooking, laundry and human activity. Enjoy the benefits of cross ventilation to cool your home.
  • LoE3 coated glass reduces Solar Heat Gain from the more intense and higher summer sun.

SOLAR PANELS AND SKYLIGHTS – PERFECT PARTNERS

  • When you are replacing your roof consider installing solar panels and skylights, they can work in unison to create a more comfortable and energy efficient home.
  • Solar panels generate electric energy to run your home, and venting skylights expel hot air in the summer, and provide ventilation year round.
  • Reduce the reliance on costly energy consuming air conditioning.
  • Plus, you get the added health benefit of letting fresh air into your home and releasing dust, doors and airborne pollutants.

Energystar Solarpanels

Columbia provides More energy efficient options than just ENERGY STAR® Canada

In 2020 Columbia became the Canadian distributor of FAKRO premium European skylight and roof windows, a product range of exceptional quality that often exceeds the requirements of ENERGY STAR Canada. Many of the FAKRO products are new to Canada and conform to the stringent European standards, providing outstanding energy efficiency and quality. As such, Columbia identifies these exceptional products with its own Eco-Select specification. Have your architect or contractor review the FAKRO specifications.