Windows are rated in various categories that calculate their energy efficiency. If you are choosing windows for your house, greater 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 climate, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is most certainly the most significant rating to consider. Other criteria, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and any shade that may be present ought to be taken into consideration.

The US Government's Energy Star program is designed to make it easier for consumers to identify energy efficient products and practices that will save them money and preserve the environment. The Energy Star program rates over 60 products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it simple for individuals to be certain they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.

All Energy Star replacement windows are rated in five areas however Energy Star qualification is based 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
Calculates the rate of heat transfer and shows how effectively a window insulates. The lower the U-Factor rating, the more effectively 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 denotes how effectively a window inhibits heat caused by sunlight. The smaller the SHGC, the less solar heat a window transmits.

Visable Transmittance (VT)
Measures the amount of light a window lets through. The higher the Visable Transmittance, the brighter a room will be.

Air Leakage (AL)
Measures the pace at which air passes through joints in a window. Air Leakage is calculated in cubic feet of air passing through 1 square foot of window area per minute. The lower the Air Leakage value, the less air that is allowed to leak.

Condensation Resistance
Calculates how well a window prevents water build-up. The greater the Condensation Resistance factor, the less condensation build-up a window allows.

Other Replacement Window Ratings
There are a few other ratings that are not included on the NFRC Energy Star label yet they are useful and appear on some windows.

Light to Solar Gain
The ratio of VT (see above) to SHGC (see above) calculates 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 introduced as a way to measure the insulation value of something. It determines conductivity and shows the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value means a better insulated window. Virtually all windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).

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