Hy-Lite Becomes ENERGY STAR Partner

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BEAUMONT, CALIF. - Hy-Lite Products®, manufacturers of acrylic block products, is now an ENERGY STAR® partner. The company's line of energy-efficient Solar Block Plus windows meets ENERGY STAR requirements for the southern zone of the United States. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR is a national program that helps consumers identify energy efficient products so they can take control of their energy costs. According to ENERGY STAR, when builders and remodelers use ENERGY STAR-compliant products to create the "envelope" that seals the house (including the ceiling, outer walls, windows and floor) homeowners can save up to 20 percent on their heating and cooling bills.

Solar-Block Plus2 Windows Meets ENERGY STAR® Requirements

"Solar Block Plus windows are more energy efficient than regular glass or acrylic block windows because of a smoke-colored tint that helps block solar heat gain," according to Bruce Oellerich, marketing manager for Hy-Lite Products. "A non-metallic tint is added to the raw acrylic in the fabrication stage and then molded evenly into the block. The resulting consistent smoke-colored tint helps block solar heat gain and meets ENERGY STAR requirements for the southern zone of the country."

Solar Block Plus meets the energy code requirements in two strict states (Texas and Georgia) with a .40 solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) when used in aluminum-framed windows. When combined with vinyl frames, the SHGC drops further and ranges from .28 to .37. All Solar Block Plus windows bear the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label indicating the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of that window. The Solar Block Plus blocks come in both six- and eight-inch sizes and can be incorporated into either operable or non-operable windows or exterior doorlight inserts. Each unit comes prefabricated from the factory in either a vinyl or aluminum frame.

"Builders and remodelers can include Solar Block Plus products as part of their energy efficient window package in residential and commercial projects," says Oellerich. "These windows install just as quickly and easily as regular glass windows. This gives people the option of having decorative acrylic block products throughout the home or office that allow in light, offer privacy and assist in lowering energy bills."

Hy-Lite Products is an industry leader in prefabricated acrylic block products and specialty windows. Part of consumer products company Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Hy-Lite manufactures a full line of operable and fixed windows, radius walls, door insert units and partitions. For more information on the full Hy-Lite product line, call 1-877-712-4013 or visit www.Hy-Lite.com. For additional information on ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov/homesealing.