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Replacement Window Ratings - A Summary
Windows are rated in a variety of categories that establish their energy efficiency. If you are deciding on windows for your house, extra emphasis should be placed on varying ratings based on where 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 very likely the most critical rating to look at. Other characteristics, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade that is present need to be taken into account.
The United State Government's Energy Star program is intended to make it convenient for people to identify energy efficient products and practices that will save them money and safeguard the environment. The Energy Star program scores over sixty products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it very simple for individuals to be certain that they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.
All Energy Star replacement windows are ranked 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 utilized to calculate if a window qualifies for the IRS Energy Tax Credit.
U-Factor
Determines the pace of heat transfer and signifies how well a window insulates. The lower the U-Factor rating, the more efficiently a window insulates. The window U-Factor includes the thermal attributes of the frame in addition to the glazing.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Calculates the solar energy transferred by the window and illustrates how efficiently a window blocks heat caused by the sun. The smaller the SHGC, the less solar heat a window transmits.
Visable Transmittance (VT)
Determines the amount of light a window permits through. The greater the Visable Transmittance, the the more light that is permitted through.
Air Leakage (AL)
Determines the speed at which air passes through joints in a window. Air Leakage is measured in cubic feet of air passing through 1 square foot of window area in a minute. The smaller the Air Leakage value, the less air that is leaked.
Condensation Resistance
Determines how efficiently a window prevents water build-up. The higher the Condensation Resistance factor, the less condensation build-up a window allows.
Other Replacement Window Ratings
There are a few alternative ratings which are not presented on the NFRC Energy Star label however they are beneficial and show up on some windows.
Light to Solar Gain
The ratio of VT (see above) to Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (see above) determines the amount of light transmitted without adding heat. A greater number indicates that more light is transmitted without adding heat.
R-Value
R-Value was introduced as a way to measure the insulation value of a product. It calculates conductivity and denotes the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value signifies a better insulated window. Virtually all windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).
Replacement Window Ratings - A Summary
Windows are rated in various categories which determine their energy efficiency. If you are choosing windows for your home, greater emphasis should be placed on different ratings based on the climate the home is located in.
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