Replacement Window Ratings - How They Help You Choose A Window

Windows are rated in a range of categories which calculate their energy efficiency. If you are shopping for windows for your home, greater emphasis should be placed on different ratings based on the climate the home is located in. For instance, if you are looking for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm location, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is almost certainly the most significant rating to look at. Other elements, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and any shade that may be present should be taken into account.

The United State Government's Energy Star program is meant to make it simple for consumers to identify energy efficient products and practices which will save them money and preserve the environment. The Energy Star program rates over 60 products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it simple for shoppers to be certain that they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.

All Energy Star replacement windows are scored in five categories however Energy Star qualification is determined only 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
Determines the speed of heat transfer and denotes how effectively a window insulates. The smaller the U-Factor rating, the more effectively a window insulates. The window U-Factor incorporates the thermal properties of the frame as well as the glazing.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Calculates the solar energy transferred by the window and tells us how well a window inhibits heat caused by the sun. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat a window transmits.

Visable Transmittance (VT)
Measures the amount of light a window lets through. The higher the Visable Transmittance, the the more light that is allowed through.

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

Condensation Resistance
Determines how effectively a window resists water build-up. The greater the Condensation Resistance factor, the less condensation build-up a window permits.

Other Replacement Window Ratings
There are some other ratings that are not included on the NFRC Energy Star label however they are beneficial and appear on some windows.

Light to Solar Gain
The ratio of Visable Transmittance to Solar Heat Gain Coefficient calculates the amount of light that is transmitted without adding heat. A higher number means that more light is transmitted without adding heat.

R-Value
R-Value was established as a way to measure the insulation value of something. It measures conductivity and illustrates 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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