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Identifying How Energy Efficient A Window Is
Windows are rated in a range of categories which determine their energy efficiency. If you are shopping for windows for your home, more emphasis should be placed on various 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 climate, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is probably the most important rating to take into account. Other variables, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade which is present need to be taken into consideration.
The United State Government's Energy Star program is meant to make it easy for people 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 very simple for individuals to be certain that they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.
All Energy Star replacement windows are rated 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 utilized to calculate if a window qualifies for the IRS Energy Tax Credit.
U-Factor
Determines the rate of heat transfer and indicates how well 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 in addition to the glazing.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Determines the solar energy transferred by the window and denotes how well a window blocks heat caused by the sun. 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 permitted through.
Air Leakage (AL)
Measures the rate at which air passes through joints in a window. Air Leakage is measured 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 that is permitted to leak.
Condensation Resistance
Determines how well 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 incorporated on the NFRC Energy Star label yet they are beneficial and appear 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 indicates that more light is transmitted without adding heat.
R-Value
R-Value was introduced as a way to measure the insulation value of something. It measures conductivity and indicates the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value implies a better insulated window. Almost all windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).
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