Replacement Window Ratings

 

Windows are rated in a variety of categories that establish their energy efficiency. If you are picking out windows for your home, more emphasis should be placed on different ratings based on where the home is located in. For example, if you are shopping for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm location, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is very likely the most critical rating to take into consideration. Other elements, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade that may be present should certainly be taken into account.

The U.S. Government's Energy Star program is intended to make it convenient for people 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 very easy for individuals to ensure they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.

All Energy Star replacement windows are scored in five different categories but Energy Star qualification is solely based on the U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. The U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient are also the categories utilized to calculate if a window qualifies for the IRS Energy Tax Credit.

U-Factor
Measures the speed of heat transfer and signifies how well 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 together with the glazing.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Calculates the solar energy transmitted by the window and signifies how efficiently a window blocks heat caused by the sun's energy. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat a window transmits.

Visable Transmittance (VT)
Calculates the amount of light a window lets through. The greater the Visable Transmittance, the more light you see.

Air Leakage (AL)
Calculates the speed at which air passes through joints in a window. Air Leakage is measured in cubic feet of air that passes through one square foot of window area in a minute. The lower the Air Leakage value, the less air that is leaked.

Condensation Resistance
Measures how effectively 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 some additional ratings that are not incorporated on the NFRC Energy Star label however they are helpful 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 suggests that more light is transmitted without adding heat.

R-Value
R-Value was introduced as a way to rate the insulation value of a product. It calculates conductivity and denotes the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value indicates a better insulated window. The majority windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).

Replacement Window Ratings
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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