New Thermal Window Standards in Canada to Change

Thermal window standards in Canada are changing. According to news out of Fenestration Canada, the annual meeting for fenestration industry stakeholders, the new Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change will seek 30 percent of energy reductions from building efficiency.

Buildings account for 17 percent of greenhouse gases in Canada. Interior heating of buildings represents about 64 percent of total energy use.

Debbie Scharf, director of the equipment division at the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada told attendees that her country could reduce national energy by 9 percent and cut greenhouse gases by 5 metric tons if it developed and embraced a transformation plan for residential windows.

The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change wants an average U-factor of 1.6 by 2020, and 1.2 for windows by 2025. By 2030 the standard will increase to 0.8 for windows.

There are challenges. Besides cost, the nature of Canada’s windows industry is a factor. The market is comprised of about 1,400 Canadian manufacturers; however just 16 firms cover two-thirds of the market.