Windows are rated in several categories that measure their energy efficiency. If you are shopping for windows for your home, more emphasis should be placed on various ratings based on the climate the home is located in. For instance, if you are shopping for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm environment, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is in all likelihood the most crucial rating to take into account. Other elements, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and the amount of shade that is present should be considered.

The U.S. Government's Energy Star program is specially designed to make it convenient for individuals to identify energy efficient products and practices which will save them money and preserve the environment. The Energy Star program incorporates over sixty products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it simple for shoppers to ensure they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.

All Energy Star replacement windows are ranked in five different categories however Energy Star qualification is solely based on the U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. These ratings are also the categories used to determine if a window qualifies for the IRS Energy Tax Credit.

U-Factor
Measures the pace of heat transfer and signifies how efficiently a window insulates. The smaller the U-Factor rating, the more effectively a window insulates. The window U-Factor includes the thermal attributes of the frame as well as the glazing.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Measures the solar energy transmitted by the window and shows how efficiently 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 allows through. The higher the Visable Transmittance, the more light you see.

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

Condensation Resistance
Measures how efficiently a window prevents 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 which are not included on the NFRC Energy Star label but they are helpful and show up on some windows.

Light to Solar Gain
The ratio of Visable Transmittance to Solar Heat Gain Coefficient calculates the amount of light transmitted without adding heat. A greater number means that more light is transmitted without adding heat.

R-Value
R-Value was developed as a way to rate the insulation value of a product. It calculates conductivity and signifies the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value implies a better insulated window. The majority windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).

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