When in the market for new replacement windows, it's very important that you make sure you choose a high quality, energy efficient window. So right about now you may be asking yourself, what makes a window energy efficient? Good question. Here is a quick list of factors that make a window energy efficient.
- U factor: U factor sounds like it could get really complicated but in simple terms it is referring to the heat that is lost and gained by the material the window is made from. Simply speaking, some window materials lose more heat than other window materials do. So, the lower the U factor number, the better. A low number means that the window you've chosen is well insulated and energy efficient.
- SHGC: Another term that you need to familiarize yourself with is (SHGC) which stands for the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. Unlike the U factor, the higher the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient the better. In a nutshell, the higher the SHGC the more the window you've chosen is able to collect heat from the sun. The best part about this is that Mother Nature never sends you a bill for taking advantage of the sun!
- Energy Star Certified: Make sure the window that you are choosing has the Energy Star label. This is crucial and means that the window you have selected, is energy efficient and is manufactured by an Energy Star partner. It also means that the windows you have chosen are independently tested, certified and verified by the National Fenestration Rating Council, (NFRC.) This is important because the NFRC rating, certifies that the windows you have chosen have met very strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA.)
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