Why choose ENERGY STAR® products for your home?

What is ENERGY STAR^® certification?

ENERGY STAR^® is an international program supported in Canada by Environment and Climate Change Canada (formerly Natural Resources Canada). Certified products meet strict energy efficiency criteria verified by independent testing. For a window, the Canadian specification now in force (version 5.0, since 2020) requires, among other things, a U-factor of no more than 1.22 W/m²·K or an ER rating of at least 34.

The concrete benefits

Measured savings

According to Natural Resources Canada, ENERGY STAR^® certified windows are about 20 % more energy efficient than the average window. Hydro-Québec puts the savings on heating costs at up to 10 %.

Everyday comfort

They eliminate cold spots near windows in winter and reduce excess heat in summer. The result: a more even temperature throughout the house and less outside noise.

UV protection

Low-emissivity glass blocks a large share of ultraviolet rays, protecting furniture, floors and curtains from fading.

Less condensation

Thanks to their thermal performance, these windows markedly reduce condensation — a common problem in Québec through the winter.

Assistance programs: where things actually stand

This is the subject where the most outdated information circulates. Here is what is genuinely in force for replacing doors and windows in Québec:

• Rénoclimat — active, with new rules since October 1, 2026. $300 per window certified ENERGY STAR^® Most Efficient (glass sliding patio doors included), up to $4,500 per house. Entry doors are no longer eligible, nor are standard ENERGY STAR^® models. The energy evaluation is no longer mandatory.
• Hydro-Québec's LogisVert — does NOT apply. The program explicitly excludes the installation and replacement of doors and windows.
• The Canada Greener Homes Grant — closed to new applications since February 2024.
• Municipal programs — some cities offer additional help. Worth checking with yours.

The provincial RénoVert and LogiRénov tax credits, still cited in many older articles, expired years ago.

At Fenestria, a $300 discount per opening currently stacks on top of Rénoclimat: $300 + $300 is $600 per window. The steps are explained in our article on Rénoclimat.

How to recognize them

Certified products carry the ENERGY STAR^® symbol. Since 2020, the same criteria apply across Canada: there is no climate zone to check any more. To confirm a model, look it up in the official list of certified products.

Going beyond the minimum

Certification is a floor, not a ceiling. What sets the best products apart on the Québec market:

• Windows: welded frames of at least 5 5/8 in. in 100 % pure uPVC; sealed units of at least 1 1/4 in. with Swisspacer spacers and Climaguard 8071 Low-E built into the glass.
• Doors: R16 high-density urethane injection rather than a standard foam panel; triple magnetic compression weatherstripping; 22-gauge steel rather than 24 or 26.
• Warranty: 20 years, non-degressive. It is rare, and it is the best indicator of a manufacturer's confidence in its own product.