Replacement Window Ratings - A Summary
Windows are rated in a variety of categories that establish their energy efficiency. If you are shopping for windows for your house, more emphasis should be placed on different ratings based on the climate the home is located in. For instance, if you are purchasing for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm environment, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is very likely the most essential rating to look at. Other criteria, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade that may be present should be considered.
The US Government's Energy Star program is intended to make it convenient for individuals to identify energy efficient products and practices which will save them money and preserve the environment. The Energy Star program incorporates over 60 products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it easy for consumers to be certain they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.
All Energy Star replacement windows are ranked in five different categories but Energy Star qualification is solely determined on the U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. The U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient are also the categories used to determine if a window qualifies for the IRS Energy Tax Credit.
U-Factor
Calculates the pace of heat transfer and signifies how efficiently a window insulates. The smaller the U-Factor rating, the more effectively a window insulates. The window U-Factor includes the thermal properties of the frame as well as the glazing.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Measures the solar energy transmitted by the window and illustrates how efficiently a window blocks heat caused by the sun. The smaller the SHGC, the less solar heat a window transmits.
Visable Transmittance (VT)
Calculates the amount of light a window lets through. The higher the Visable Transmittance, the brighter a room will be.
Air Leakage (AL)
Determines the speed at which air passes through joints in a window. Air Leakage is determined in cubic feet of air that passes through 1 square foot of window area in a minute. The lower the Air Leakage value, the less air leakage.
Condensation Resistance
Calculates how efficiently a window prevents water build-up. The higher the Condensation Resistance factor, the less condensation build-up a window permits.
Other Replacement Window Ratings
There are a few additional ratings that are not included on the NFRC Energy Star label but they are useful and show up on some windows.
Light to Solar Gain
The ratio of Visable Transmittance to Solar Heat Gain Coefficient calculates the amount of light transmitted without adding heat. A higher number means that more light is transmitted without adding heat.
R-Value
R-Value was developed as a way to rate the insulation value of a product. It calculates conductivity and tells us the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value implies a better insulated window. Virtually all windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).
Replacement Window Ratings - A Summary
Windows are rated in various categories which determine their energy efficiency. If you are choosing windows for your home, greater emphasis should be placed on different ratings based on the climate the home is located in.
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