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Understanding Replacement Window Ratings
Windows are rated in several categories which establish their energy efficiency. If you are picking out windows for your home, more emphasis should be placed on various ratings based on the climate the home is located in. For instance, if you are purchasing for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm environment, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is most likely the most essential rating to take into consideration. Other variables, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade which is present should be considered.
The US Government's Energy Star program is specially designed to make it easy for individuals to identify energy efficient products and practices which will save them money and protect the environment. The Energy Star program incorporates over 60 products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it easy for shoppers to be certain they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.
All Energy Star replacement windows are ranked in five categories but Energy Star qualification is solely based 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
Calculates the pace of heat transfer and denotes how efficiently a window insulates. The smaller the U-Factor rating, the better a window insulates. The window U-Factor includes the thermal characteristics of the frame as well as the glazing.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Measures the solar energy transmitted by the window and shows how well a window blocks heat caused by the sun's energy. 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)
Determines the rate at which air passes through joints in a window. Air Leakage is determined in cubic feet of air that passes through one square foot of window area in a minute. The lower the Air Leakage value, the less air leakage.
Condensation Resistance
Calculates how efficiently 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 some additional ratings that are not included on the NFRC Energy Star label but they are useful and show up on some windows.
Light to Solar Gain
The ratio of Visable Transmittance to Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures the amount of light transmitted without adding heat. A higher number means that more light is transmitted without adding heat.
R-Value
R-Value was developed as a way to rate the insulation value of a product. It measures conductivity and tells us the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value indicates a better insulated window. Almost all windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).
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