Windows are rated in various categories which measure their energy efficiency. If you are choosing windows for your home, more emphasis should be placed on different ratings based on the climate the home is located in. For instance, if you are looking for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm climate, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is almost certainly the most essential rating to consider. Other factors, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade that may be present should be considered.

The United State Government's Energy Star program is designed to make it simple for individuals to identify energy efficient products and practices that 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 consumers to be certain that they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.

All Energy Star replacement windows are rated in five different categories however 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
Determines the rate of heat transfer and tells us how efficiently a window insulates. The lower the U-Factor rating, the better a window insulates. The window U-Factor includes the thermal properties of the frame as well as the glazing.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Measures the solar energy transferred by the window and denotes how efficiently a window inhibits heat caused by sunlight. 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 allowed through.

Air Leakage (AL)
Measures the speed at which air passes through joints in a window. Air Leakage is determined in cubic feet of air passing through one square foot of window area in a minute. The lower the Air Leakage value, the less air leakage.

Condensation Resistance
Determines how well 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 additional ratings that are not included on the NFRC Energy Star label but they are beneficial and appear 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 higher number means that more light is transmitted without adding heat.

R-Value
R-Value was created as a way to measure the insulation value of something. It calculates conductivity and signifies the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value means a better insulated window. Most windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).

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