If you’re a first-time replacement window buyer (or new window buyer), you my have noticed the logo of the NFRC and read their ratings. You may be wondering why they matter, why they are on every window you look at and if you can trust them. Keep reading and you’ll find out all you’ve ever wondered and need to know.
Who They Are
The NFRC is the National Fenestration Rating Council. They are an independent non-profit window rating company. They evaluate residential windows on many factors, the most important being their energy efficiency, however, also on how much light comes through the windows and other factors. You can trust the organization because they buy the windows just like the consumer, so they get the same windows you would get, not something the manufacturer has altered for the test.
Window Ratings Are Important
Although the criteria for a window’s rating are the same throughout the country, the ratings themselves that make a window ENERGY STAR® rated vary based on your location. As you can see from the map, Texas has three climate zones. The windows that are considered ENERGY STAR windows here have higher allowable U-factors and SHGC that windows in the northern climate zone. You want energy efficient windows which is why you should read the ratings on the windows you’re consider and understand what the terms mean.
U-Factor & SHGC
Although the window may have many terms and ratings, the two related to energy efficiency are U-Factor and SHGC. We often relate U-factor to R-value as it pertains to how insulative the windows themselves are. However, unlike R-value, with U-factor, you actually want a lower number. The lower the number, the more insulative a window is. SHGC stands for solar heat gain coefficient. This speaks to how well a window blocks the solar heat from coming in. Something we, in the DFW region need. So, you want a window with a lower SHGC. Both U-Factor and SHGC ratings are between 0 and 1.
We Can Help You Find the Right ENERGY STAR Rated Windows
At Affordable Replacement Window Systems, we can help you find the right ENERGY STAR windows for your home. All the windows we sell and install are ENERGY STAR rated for the DFW region. Call or text us today for your free in-home estimate – (817) 264-6509 or fill out our contact form.
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