Replacement Window Ratings - How They Help You Select A Window

 

Windows are rated in a variety of categories that determine their energy efficiency. If you are shopping for windows for your home, more emphasis should be placed on various ratings based on the climate the home is located in. For example, if you are buying for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm location, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is very likely the most important rating to look at. Other elements, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade that is present ought to be taken into consideration.

The US 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 sixty products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it simple for people to be certain they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.

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

U-Factor
Calculates the speed of heat transfer and illustrates how well a window insulates. The smaller the U-Factor rating, the more effectively a window insulates. The window U-Factor includes the thermal attributes of the frame and the glazing.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Determines the solar energy transferred by the window and signifies how effectively a window blocks heat caused by the sun. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat a window transmits.

Visable Transmittance (VT)
Calculates the amount of light a window allows through. The higher the Visable Transmittance, the brighter a room will be.

Air Leakage (AL)
Calculates the pace 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 smaller the Air Leakage value, the less air that is allowed to leak.

Condensation Resistance
Calculates 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 which are not included on the NFRC Energy Star label yet 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 greater number signifies that more light is transmitted without adding heat.

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

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