Analyzing How Energy Efficient A Window Is

Windows are rated in a variety of categories which measure their energy efficiency. If you are choosing windows for your home, extra emphasis should be placed on varying ratings based on the climate the home is located in. For example, if you are buying for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm environment, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is almost certainly the most crucial rating to think about. Other variables, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade present ought to be taken into consideration.

The US Government's Energy Star program is intended to make it simple for consumers to identify energy efficient products and practices that will save them money and protect the environment. The Energy Star program scores over sixty products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it convenient for people to be certain they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.

All Energy Star replacement windows are ranked in five different categories however Energy Star qualification is solely based 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
Calculates the pace of heat transfer and tells us how effectively a window insulates. The lower the U-Factor rating, the better a window insulates. The window U-Factor includes the thermal qualities of the frame and the glazing.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Determines the solar energy transferred by the window and illustrates how efficiently a window inhibits heat caused by sunlight. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat a window transmits.

Visable Transmittance (VT)
Determines the amount of light a window permits through. The higher the Visable Transmittance, the brighter a room will be.

Air Leakage (AL)
Determines the speed 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 that is allowed to leak.

Condensation Resistance
Calculates how efficiently 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 alternative ratings which are not presented on the NFRC Energy Star label yet they are useful 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 signifies that more light is transmitted without adding heat.

R-Value
R-Value was formulated as a way to measure the insulation value of a product. It calculates conductivity and illustrates 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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