Our support will provide items such as blankets, hygiene kits, and mosquito nets. The American Red Cross International also provides safe drinking water to more than 300,000 people daily. As stated by the Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia,

“American Red Cross volunteers have joined forces with Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers from around the world in a coordinated effort to meet both the immediate and long-term challenges that stand between chaos and recovery for the people of Haiti.”

Visit www.redcross.org or call 757-446-7788 for more information. The recovery for Haiti is a long one. They need our help now more than ever!

As it stands now, the bill provides two types of consumer incentives:

1)   Silver Star – this provides up-front rebates at the time of purchase for insulation, duct sealing, windows and doors, air sealing and water heaters. Homeowners may receive up to $1500 per improvement, with a total rebate of up to $3,000 or 50% of the total project cost.

2)  Gold Star – rewards homeowners that undertake a comprehensive energy audit and document their energy savings. Consumers may receive $3,000 for a demonstrated energy savings of 20%. For every 5% energy savings after that, they can receive $1,000. The cap is $8,000 or 50% of the project cost.

To make sure homeowners will be able to afford the home renovations, the bill includes $324 million for state and local governments to provide financing options to consumers to manage their share of the cost. This can be a powerful program for homeowners that can take advantage of it before the money runs out.

Projects must be installed by qualified contractors, and the states will have independent quality assurance providers auditing installations in the field to ensure the energy savings will be achieved.

President Obama strongly supports the Act, and agrees that it will not only reduce greenhouse emissions and help consumers lower their energy bills, but it will also stimulate the creation of green jobs (estimated at about 170,000) in construction and manufacturing. The administration views it as a key element of the economic recovery and green job agendas, and it has widespread support.

We have yet to clarify what this will mean in terms of real savings on windows and doors until the bill is finalized. However, upon first review of the bill it is very favorable to window and door replacement.

There is additional concern about the Home Star program being negatively affected by the recent passage of the EPA’s Lead Paint Rule which targets homes built before 1978. I expect to have more details on this in the next few weeks. If you have questions, please make a comment.

We at Mr. Rogers Windows take the dangers and health risks of lead paint very seriously. Our sales consultants and installers have undergone rigorous EPA training, as well as most of our support team. We will provide clients with our EPA Certification, and remain in full compliance with all Lead Safe Work Practices.

If your home or building was built before 1978 you should know that we are actively engaged in the regulations, and up to date with federal and state compliance requirements in order to assure the safety and health of your home and family.

If you have questions or need information contact me, or the National Lead Information Center. Click herefor important lead hazard information in the EPA’s Renovate Rightconsumer brochure.

Gas fills between window panes have shown a measurable improvement in the thermal performance of windows and patio doors.

Our windows and doors are filled with argon gas. It is inexpensive, non-toxic, clear and odorless.

Krypton gas has a higher thermal rating than argon, but it is much more expensive to produce. It is also clear, non-toxic, non-reactive and odorless.

The tradeoff is that krypton performs best in a window where the space between the glass is about 1/4 to 3/8 inch. For this reason, it is more commonly used in triple pane windows.

The atmospheric pressure can affect windows that have so little space between the glass. Tests have revealed that Krypton has a higher gas leakage rate than argon as well.

The Renewal by Andersen Fibrex composite replacement window is designed with a wider space between the panes, 1/2 inch, and that additional space plus the argon gas, Low E4 coating and Smart Sun glazing provides excellent efficiency, without the risk of seal failure.

Thanks for your question.

Air infiltration, more commonly referred to as Air Leakage (AL) when it comes to windows and doors, is effected by weather conditions such as wind and temperature. It is a rating that tells you if the window is drafty or not. The Efficient Window Collaborative recommends a rating of 0.30; the lower, the better.

Quite franky, most manufactured windows are designed to meet this standard or better. And that’s why they don’t often include the rating on their NFRC label. It’s optional.

Most manufacturers already participate in the certification program adopted by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), that includes air infiltration, water leakage, structural resistance to pressure (like wind), and even resistance to forced or criminal entry.

A gold label on the inside jamb of a new or replacement window indicates it passes the AAMA 101 design and performance standard.

80 – 90% of manufacturers easily pass the test and the NFRC suggests that air leakage issues in many windows are the result of improper installation.

You may see mention of leakage and infiltration in marketing literature, but there is not a significant difference among manufactured windows that meet this requirement. Of course every reputable manufacturer should be able to provide these independent test results to you if asked.

If you live in an area prone to weather extremes and wind-driven rain, you may also be interested in reading my post on Design Pressure (DP) ratings, which is included in the ANSI/AAMA test as well.

I hope that helps clear up some of the confusion.

It is only the international relief effort that will give these people hope.

As citizens of this planet and children of God we all have a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Therefore for the next 3 months for every window we sell we will donate $10 directly to the relief effort. We will make this donation to the International Red Cross and World Vision and designate it for the relief. Both organizations have had relief efforts on the streets in Haiti within hours of the quake.

• DONORS BEWARE

Be careful. Send your donations only to charities with an established track record of helping people in this region. World Vision and the Red Cross both have staff in Haiti. But don’t be sucked in by fly-by-night “charities” ready to advantage of your generosity. They’re out there.

Do not respond to high pressure or emotional appeals. Don’t let yourself be pressured into contributing over the phone. If you are not familiar with a charity, get detailed information in writing. And remember, you have a right to say no. No legitimate organization will pressure you to give immediately.

Also beware of e-mails from people claiming to be victims. Unless you know the sender personally, it is better to give to charities.

• SEND A CHECK, NOT MERCHANDISE OR GOODS

The best way you can help is by sending a check. Cash donations allow charities to buy the most needed type of food, medicine, clothing, shelter materials and other supplies. Typically, buying relief products locally or regionally means less shipping costs and quicker assistance. Charities are best suited to make the product purchases.

If you do decide to send goods, please run it by your chosen charity first. For example, after the tsunami, boxes of donated winter coats, scarves and fuzzy hats, completely useless items in tsunami stricken nations with tropical climates, were sent to these nations. Let’s make sure we get the right supplies to the citizens of this devastated area.

But what about the quality of the air inside your home?

You may not have any health symptoms now, but chances are you need to eliminate, reduce or control your exposure to indoor air pollutants.

For example, if you have damp or wet spots in your house, you will probably get mold, a big contributor. And then there are chemicals emitted from household cleaners, paints, carpet, vinyl shower curtains and window blinds, tobacco, etc…the list goes on. Some of these are more hazardous than others, and some people are more sensitive to the affects of these.

Building materials like insulation, vinyl window frames, cabinets, and furniture made from certain pressed wood products, release chemicals in the form of gasses that get trapped into your home—and lungs—as well.

Ok, so what do you do? Everything you can; eliminate, control or reduce the sources of pollutants. Medline, an online service of the National Institutes of Health has great information on the prevention and screening of indoor air pollution.

If you’re remodeling job includes replacement windows, French doors, or sliding glass patio doors, you can be assured to know that Andersen doors and Renewal by Andersen bay, bow, casement, picture, awning and traditional double hung windows can contribute to a healthier living environment for you and your family.

Find out more about Andersen’s indoor air quality certification.

Andersen and Renewal by Andersen FIBREX windows and patio doors are the only brands to receive independent certification for the highest levels of indoor air quality. And I’m talking about the strictest indoor air emissions criteria. The most stringent standard that’s in place for use in elementary schools…in California.

So if you’re concerned about the quality of air inside your home, you’ll want to consider Andersen doors and windows for your next home improvement project.