Wasco Raises the Bar on Energy Efficiency with Triple Glazed Skylight

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb 17, 2010 -
SANFORD, ME, January 13, 2009 - - Wasco Skylights, a national leader in daylighting solutions, has introduced a new energy efficient innovation to its residential line of skylights, Triple Glazed Series–  a triple glazed skylight – making the company one of the first in the nation to offer this important advance over double glazed units.  eMAX3®(pronounced eMAX cubed)  gives homeowners another tool for creating an energy efficient living environment and qualifies them to receive a tax credit under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.  "If we have a niche in the industry, it's innovation," said Jeff Frank, Wasco CEO. "Now we can offer customers a significant advance in energy efficiency and save them money on the purchase."

Triple glazed eMAX3®consists of an inner and outer pane of Low-E glass with a pane of clear glass sandwiched between. Argon gas insulates the two airspaces. While Low-E glass has become standard for moderating solar heat gain and controlling heat loss, Wasco has gone a step further and selected what the company considers to be one of the clearest and highest performing Low-E products in the industry – Low-Ē3  from Cardinal Glass Industries, Inc. When combined with other high performance design elements, Wasco's triple glazed Low-Ē3 skylights provide up to 55% greater insulating value than double-paned skylights with clear insulated glass.  Low-Ē3, so named for its three layers of silver which limit solar heat gain and permit the maximum transmission of light, blocks 95% of ultraviolet rays and reduces window heat gain in the Wasco units by as much as 69% as compared to identical skylights constructed with two panes of clear glass.

For a comfortable home in the coldest weather, the Efficient Windows Collaborative, a partnership between industry representatives, NGOs and the U.S. Department of Energy, recommends that windows and skylights be constructed with glass that will maintain a room side temperature of at least 52 degrees when the outside temperature reaches -20°F, performance criteria that Cardinal reports Low-Ē3 can achieve with only a single pane of glass.  According to the company, most other Low-E products on the market would measure 47° F under the same conditions; and ordinary glass would measure 0°F.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009, homeowners who purchase an eMAX3®skylight in 2010 are eligible for a federal tax credit for up to $1,500 or as much as 30 percent of the product cost (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_ta...).  In order to qualify, the skylight must have a U-factor (the rate of heat loss) and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (a measure of how much heat due to solar radiation can be transmitted) of no more than 0.30.  The eMAX3® in Wasco's energy-efficient E-Class SkyWindow®, a self-flashing unit in either a fixed or venting style would qualify a homeowner for this tax credit.  Wasco also offers the eMAX3® in the leak proof, economical curb-mount skylight.  More information on these skylights and Wasco's complete product offerings is available at http://www.wascoskylights.com.

Founded in 1935, Wasco is a family-owned company with New England roots and a determined drive to outdo the competition in performance, selection and fast, trouble-free installation of innovative skylighting products.