Energy Efficiency
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An energy efficient home does not have to compromise privacy, natural light or beauty at your doorway! RSL doorglass can be used in doors to meet ENERGY STAR and Green Building criteria. RSL includes its U factor and SHGC rating on each label adhered to our doorglass products.The ENERGY STAR Windows Program is a voluntary partnership between the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) to promote sales of energy efficient windows and doors. |
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RSL Green Commitment
RSL, Inc. is committed to conducting business in a manner that demonstrates environmental responsibility and provides our customers with environmentally beneficial products. Our focus will emphasize waste minimization, product durability, recycling, energy efficiency, geographic sourcing, fuel conservation.
Manufacturing at RSL: Lean and Green
RSL and Champion Injection Molding are committed to conducting business in a manner that demonstrates environmental responsibility and provides our customers with environmentally beneficial products. Utilizing energy efficient strategies of lean manufacturing, waste minimization, product durability, recycling, geographic sourcing and fuel conservation, the program focuses on continuous improvement. The program has already successfully eliminated waste in the production process, logistics stream and office protocols.
A recent investment at the Warren Ohio production facility in low energy tri-phosphorous Ecovations™ lighting, will lower energy consumption by 65,000 kWh per year and create a safer workplace with increased visibility. The implementation of shutdown electronics, equipment and lights when not in use has proven to be a great common sense way to lower energy usage.
Taking steps toward environmentally responsible logistics, RSL/CIM have joined with the EPA in the SmartWay ™ partnership. This program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by committing to lower company carbon footprint. The carbon footprint is the total set of “greenhouse gasses” created by a company or process. Utilizing SmartWaytm certified carriers can reduce these emissions. The EPA has approved SmartWaytm carriers as environmentally cleaner and more fuel-efficient options for the transport of goods.
RSL/CIM also use electronic media whenever possible for corporate communication and are continually looking for ways to reduce waste, reuse material and recycle. The companies take pride in working closely with suppliers and customers on finding innovative ways how to lower waste and promote a cleaner environment.
RSL and Champion keep the environment as well as their customers in mind when designing packaging. Both companies use cardboard that is made from 100% recycled medium and biodegradable inks. This provides an environmentally responsible and product friendly way to package goods.
RSL’s products include energy efficient doorglass with LowE glass, blinds between glass, and insulated glass for use in Energy Star approved entryways. Most of the company’s products meet the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act stimulus tax credit. Exterior doors can earn a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $500. RSL offers a wide range of products that comply with the .30/.30 U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient requirements. All RSL products have labels that clearly identify the energy efficiency of the product.
RSL Inc. Joins U.S. EPA SmartWay Transport® Partnership
Egg Harbor Twp, NJ– RSL Inc. today announced that it joined the SmartWaySM Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry designed to significantly reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution.
RSL will contribute to the Partnership’s goal to reduce 33 to 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide per year by 2012 by improving the environmental performance of our freight operations. Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas, and nitrogen oxide is an air pollutant that contributes to smog. By joining SmartWay Transport Partnership, RSL demonstrates its strong environmental leadership and corporate responsibility.
“RSL’s commitment to lean manufacturing and environmental responsibility made the partnership with EPA’s SmartWay program a definite benefit.” said Ron Lewkowitz, RSL’s President.
Launched in February 2004, the SmartWay Transport Partnership brings together major freight shippers, trucking companies, railroads, logistics companies and trade/professional associations to pursue mutually beneficial strategies that result in emissions reductions and other environmental improvements, as well as cost savings to the companies. The Partnership currently has over 2,200 Partners.
RSL is a manufacturer of energy efficient doorglass for entryways. Its products meet the federal tax credit criteria for energy efficient windows. For more information about RSL, visit www.rslinc.com. For information about the SmartWay Transport Partnership, visit www.epa.gov/smartway.Save up to $500 with Stimulus Tax Credit
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 extended many consumer tax incentives for energy efficient improvements made to a taxpayer's principal residence from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. A one-time tax credit for purchasing doors that meet the criteria of U-Factor of less than or equal to .30 and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of less than or equal to .30 are available.
Exterior doors can earn a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $500, for existing homes. RSL doorglass is a key part of the door system that allows you to meet the tax credit. In order to take the credit, homeowners must have a Manufacturer's Certification Statement from the door system manufacturer.
You may download this form by clicking below, but you should contact your supplier or sales@RSLinc.com to get the
certificate completed and signed by RSL.
RSL Manufacturer's Certification Statement.
A Manufacturer's Certification is a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit. IRS Form 5695, "Residential Energy Credits," must be filed to claim the credit. Taxpayers must keep a copy of the statement for their records, but do not have to submit a copy with their tax return.
How does the new Federal Energy Tax Credit work?When filing federal tax returns up to $500 of the doorglass purchase can be deducted under the 25c - Non-Business Energy Property Tax Credit. The tax credit requirements include exterior doors and windows that:
- are used to improve an existing home,
- must be installed in the taxpayer’s primary residence,
- are installed and being used between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011,
- have NFRC certified U-Value and SHGC ratings that do not exceed .30.
How do you claim your Tax Credit?
- Purchase and install RSL doorglass.
- Keep receipts. RSL will provide a manufacturer’s certificate if requested.
- Use IRS form 5695.
- Homeowners are not required to submit manufacturer’s certificates with tax returns.
- This credit is not a rebate. Please consult a tax advisor for more details.
Energy Star Specifications
On July 1st 2010 a new NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) requirement for IGUs (Insulated Glass Units) goes into effect regarding performance rating and labeling. This is a federally mandated requirement for Energy Star qualification. As a component manufacturer, no doorglass product can be Energy Star certified alone. RSL, however, has conducted and passed the testing required by NFRC.
Low-E glass has an invisible metalic coating that blocks heat flow. Demonstrated to save energy, Low-E glass reduces solar heat gain in the summer — saving on air conditioning, and reduces heat loss in the winter — saving on heating bills. The Federal government recognizes the value of energy products and has provided Energy Tax Credits to encourage installation in homes. RSL makes energy efficient Blinds Between Glass (BBG), Grills Between Glass (GBG), clear and decorative doorglass.
What is U-Value and SHGC?
U-Value is a measurement of how much heat is escaping from a home. The lower the number — the better. A lower number means that less heat is being lost - and more heat is kept inside. Lower U-Value numbers are more important in colder climates.
SHGC stands for ‘Solar Heat Gain Coefficient’. It is a measurement of how much solar radiation enters a home. Again, a lower number is better, meaning less solar heat is allowed to enter the home. Lower SHGC numbers are more important in warmer climates.
* Contact RSL or your local distributor for a signed copy of our Manufacturer's Certification Statement for energy efficiency tax credits.
SHGC values are the same for internal (GBG) and external grills.
Click on above table to download a pdf of this data.
RSL Energy Testing Program
RSL's Energy Testing Program in a convenient pdf.
RSL has selected NAMI (National Accreditation and Management Institute), an NFRC authorized company, as its certification agency for this program. Performance testing will be conducted every two years and an audit of RSL’s fabrication process will be done twice annually. RSL will identify approved IGU with NAMI logo and approval # etched in the bottom right corner of each IGU.
Architectural Testing for ASTM E2190 conducted successful seal durability testing (fogging, humidity & accelerated weathering) of RSL sealed insulating glass units and summarized the results in ATI report #89495.01-122-28. NAMI certified these test results (report #NI1009973).
Architectural Testing conducted Acoustical Performance testing (report #83632.01-113-11). This test measured sound transmission loss.
Architectural Testing conducted thermal performance simulations of RSL Clear, LowE, GBG, BBG, Impact and decorative doorglass in accordance with NFRC standards for U Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, and Visible Transmittance. The tests included a wide range of doorglass sizes with various spacer widths, materials, insulating techniques, gas filling, clear tempered and LowE glass. The test were conducted using both polystyrene and polyurethane filled steel and fiberglass doors.
RSL doorglass frames protect against moisture and air infiltration in two ways (frame to glass and frame to door). RSL vinyl and Impact frames both have co-extruded flaps on both frame to glass and frame to door edges. These white, watertight flaps eliminate oozing and provide an excellent seal.
RSL’s injection molded frames use a frame to door sealant that is a white, foamed material combining the best qualities of closed cell foam and elastomer (rubbery) sealants. This high adhesion sealant has moderate surface tack with superior heat resistance (283 degrees F).The frame to glass sealant uses a mildew resistant, solid butyl that will not shrink, crack or become brittle.
RSL’s Hurricane Impact units are engineered to meet high velocity hurricane zone requirements TAS 201, 202 & 203. Tested at Testing Evaluation Laboratories and approved by Florida Building Code #FL11515, this product withstood 9000 pressure cycles against water & air infiltration and has a DP of +/- 60psf.
RSL Clear, LowE, and GBG doorglass is insulated with aluminum spacer bars, whose horizontal lengths are filled with moisture absorbing desiccant. To ensure accurate identification of the time and location of manufacture, the vertical aluminum spacer bars are etched with “RSL” and the month and year of assembly.
RSL uses soft coat and hard LowE glass in order to reduce air conditioning energy in the summer and reduce heating in the winter. This energy efficient glass is insulated on the #2 side (sealed in the airspace on the outer pane of tempered glass and facing the inside of the home).
Rigorous requirements ensure durable IGU performance.
- ASTM E2188 – 2002
Standard test method for IGU weather & humidity cyclic testing
- ASTM E2189 - 2002
Standard test method for IGU resistance to fogging
- ASTM E2190 - 2008
Standard test method for IGU performance. Six samples tested for 105 days in humidity and weather cycling tests with initial, intermediate and final frost / dew point requirements at minimum to -40°C. Two samples tested for 7 days to resistance to fogging with no fogging as pass criteria
- ASTM E413-04
Standard test method for rating sound insulation
- NFRC 100-2004
Procedure for determining U-Factors
- NFRC 200-2004
Procedure for determining Solar Heat Gain Coefficient & Visible Transmittance
Air, Water and Structural Performance
RSL Doorglass products are tested to assure that they are protected against water and air infiltration in accordance with ASTM E283 for air tightness, ASTM E331 for water penetration, and E330 for structural performance.
RSL doorglass frames have two sealants or gaskets to protect against
moisture and air infiltration. One sealant is placed on the lip of
the frame where it contacts the door and the second is where the lip of the
frame contacts the glass. These two gaskets maintain the
integrity of the entry door and its thermal performance. Test results can be
found online at www.floridabuilding.org in
report #FL11196.
Design Pressure
Design Pressure requirements vary based on product location in the building, height of the building, and wind zone designations. The positive DP # is the standard for wind blowing at the building (windward) and the negative DP # represents the vacuum pressure on the opposite side of the building (leeward).
DP is measured in PSF or pounds
per square foot.
Non Impact
doorglass with injection molded frames: +/-60 to 80 PSF
Non Impact
doorglass with vinyl frames: +/-80 to 90 PSF
Impact (after high velocity
impact) doorglass
with vinyl frames: +/-60 PSF
Turtle Glass
In 1993, a marine turtle protection ordinance passed in Florida requiring beachfront properties to minimize light transmission so that turtles would be safe to lay their eggs on the beach. If too much light comes from building interiors, female turtles will avoid those beaches, overcrowd the few dark beaches and the hatchlings will head for the busy streets instead of the ocean. Therefore, the ordinance requires that beachfront residences use glass with a visible transmission of 45% or less (visible spectrum of 400-700 nanometers). RSL meets this requirement by combining/insulating LowE and grey glass for a VT of 37%.
