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Replacement Window Ratings - How They Help You Select A Window
Windows are rated in a variety of categories which calculate their energy efficiency. If you are choosing windows for your home, more emphasis should be placed on various ratings based on where 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 probably the most significant rating to consider. Other variables, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade that is present should certainly be considered.
The United State Government's Energy Star program is intended to make it easy for consumers to identify energy efficient products and practices that will save them money and protect the environment. The Energy Star program incorporates over sixty products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it very easy for consumers 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 solely based 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
Determines the speed of heat transfer and indicates how effectively a window insulates. The lower the U-Factor rating, the better a window insulates. The window U-Factor includes the thermal attributes of the frame together with the glazing.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Measures the solar energy transferred by the window and signifies how well a window inhibits heat caused by sunlight. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat a window transmits.
Visable Transmittance (VT)
Calculates the amount of light a window allows through. The greater 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 passing through one square foot of window area in a minute. The smaller the Air Leakage value, the less air leakage.
Condensation Resistance
Determines how effectively a window resists water build-up. The greater the Condensation Resistance factor, the less condensation build-up a window allows.
Other Replacement Window Ratings
There are some additional ratings which are not incorporated on the NFRC Energy Star label but they are beneficial and show up on some windows.
Light to Solar Gain
The ratio of Visable Transmittance (see above) to SHGC (see above) measures 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 created as a way to measure the insulation value of a product. It measures conductivity and shows the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value means a better insulated window. Almost all windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).
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