Replacement Window Ratings
Windows are rated in various categories which establish their energy efficiency. If you are picking out windows for your house, extra emphasis should be placed on various ratings based on the climate the home is located in. For example, if you are purchasing for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm climate, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is almost certainly the most essential rating to take into consideration. Other criteria, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade that is present should be taken into consideration.
The U.S. Government's Energy Star program is designed to make it simple for individuals to identify energy efficient products and practices which will save them money and preserve the environment. The Energy Star program scores over sixty products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it simple for people to ensure they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.
All Energy Star replacement windows are rated in five different categories but Energy Star qualification is solely determined 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
Measures the rate of heat transfer and tells us how efficiently 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 as well as the glazing.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Determines the solar energy transmitted by the window and indicates how efficiently a window blocks heat caused by the sun's energy. The smaller the SHGC, the less solar heat a window transmits.
Visable Transmittance (VT)
Determines the amount of light a window allows through. The higher the Visable Transmittance, the more light you see.
Air Leakage (AL)
Measures 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 smaller the Air Leakage value, the less air that is allowed to leak.
Condensation Resistance
Measures how well a window resists 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 alternative ratings which are not included on the NFRC Energy Star label yet they are helpful and appear 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 means that more light is transmitted without adding heat.
R-Value
R-Value was formulated as a way to rate the insulation value of something. It calculates conductivity and tells us 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).
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