Replacement Window Ratings - What They Mean

Windows are rated in a range of categories that determine their energy efficiency. If you are picking out windows for your house, extra emphasis should be placed on various ratings based on where the home is located in. For instance, if you are purchasing for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm climate, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is quite likely the most critical rating to take into consideration. Other characteristics, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade that is present should certainly be taken into account.

The U.S. Government's Energy Star program is meant to make it easier for people to identify energy efficient products and practices which will save them money and safeguard the environment. The Energy Star program scores over sixty products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it very easy for shoppers to ensure they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.

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

U-Factor
Measures the rate of heat transfer and illustrates how well a window insulates. The smaller the U-Factor rating, the more efficiently a window insulates. The window U-Factor includes the thermal attributes of the frame together with the glazing.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Calculates the solar energy transmitted by the window and denotes how effectively 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 greater the Visable Transmittance, the more light you see.

Air Leakage (AL)
Measures the pace at which air passes through joints in a window. Air Leakage is measured 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 leaked.

Condensation Resistance
Measures how well 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 alternative ratings which are not incorporated on the NFRC Energy Star label however they are helpful and appear on some windows.

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

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

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