Reduce energy loss in your home by increasing the quality of your
windows and doors. You
can tell almost everything you need to know about a window's performance
by looking at its "NFRC label". Adopted by the National
Fenestration Rating Council in 1998, this label is affixed to windows
voluntarily by manufacturers concerned about energy efficiency.
If a window does not have this label, chances are you're not dealing
with a reputable manufacturer.
U-Factor:
The inverse of "R-Value" (which measures insulating value),
the U-Factor measures how easily heat flows through the product.
The lower the number, the better it keeps heat where you want it.
In cold climates, look for a U-Factor of 0.35 or lower.
Solar
Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): The
SHGC tells you how much heat radiation from sunlight a window lets
in. If heating your home is your main concern, a higher SHGC can
help offset some of the heating costs. In warmer climates, where
air-conditioning costs are a bigger factor, look for a lower number.
Visible
Transmittance (VT): The Visible Transmittance number
indicates the amount of light that passes through the glass (refers
to brightness, as opposed to heat). A higher number means a brighter
room.
Air
Leakage (AL): The Air Leakage rating refers to the amount
of air that can infiltrate cracks in the window assembly. The lower
the number, the less infiltration. Look for windows with an AL rating
of 0.30 or less.
Res/Non-Res:
The NFRC label contains data for "Residential"
and "Non-Residential" (industrial) windows. When shopping
for windows for your home, be sure to compare the "Res"
numbers.
Call a Sunset
Home Improvements representative and let us tell you more!
Now back to...
Articles
01.
Why Vinyl Windows
02. How Can the Gas Company Save You
Money?
03. What is Energy Star?
04. How Energy Efficient
is Your Home?
05. A Note on Energy Cost Today
06. How to Save Energy and Money
in Your Home
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