Windows are rated in a variety of categories which measure their energy efficiency. If you are picking out windows for your home, more emphasis should be placed on different 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 probably the most crucial rating to take into consideration. Other factors, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and any shade that may be present ought to be taken into consideration.

The United State Government's Energy Star program is intended to make it easy for consumers 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 convenient for people to be certain that they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.

All Energy Star replacement windows are ranked in five categories however Energy Star qualification is determined only on the U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. The U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient are also the categories used to calculate if a window qualifies for the IRS Energy Tax Credit.

U-Factor
Determines the pace of heat transfer and indicates how effectively a window insulates. The smaller the U-Factor rating, the better a window insulates. The window U-Factor incorporates the thermal properties of the frame and the glazing.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Determines the solar energy transferred by the window and illustrates how well a window inhibits 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 lets through. The higher the Visable Transmittance, the the more light that is permitted through.

Air Leakage (AL)
Determines the rate at which air passes through joints in a window. Air Leakage is calculated in cubic feet of air that passes through one square foot of window area per minute. The lower the Air Leakage value, the less air that is allowed to leak.

Condensation Resistance
Determines how efficiently a window resists water build-up. The greater the Condensation Resistance factor, the less condensation build-up a window permits.

Other Replacement Window Ratings
There are some additional ratings that are not presented on the NFRC Energy Star label yet they are beneficial 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 that is transmitted without adding heat. A higher 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 measures conductivity and illustrates the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value indicates a better insulated window. Most windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).

Analyzing How Energy Efficient A Window Is
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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