Replacement Windows | Angies List

One of the biggest reasons to replace your home's windows is to improve energy efficiency. Compare
the energy efficiency among window products by reading the labels.
Windows that feature an Energy Star label have passed standards testing that prove the products
meet minimum criteria for energy efficiency. Energy Star-rated products cost more than traditional
products, but can reduce your utility bills. For more information on how window products qualify for
the Energy Star label, visit the Energy Star website.

Another energy efficiency indicator on new window products is a label from the National
Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). The NFRC is a nonprofit organization that independently
assesses and issues energy ratings for window products.
NFRC's testing of window energy performance is also a key component of Energy Star ratings.
According to the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi1QqcSzUIk NFRC, window products that carry
the NFRC label have been tested to ensure that their advertised energy-efficiency claims are
accurate.
Window energy efficiency terms
NFRC labels carry important information about a window's energy performance, which are
expressed in two primary efficiency measures.
1. Solar heat gain co-efficient (SHGC)
SHGC indicates how much heat from sunlight a window can block. Expressed as a number between
0 and 1, the lower a window's SHGC rating, the more sunlight heat it can block. For instance, a
window with a SHGC of 0.35 will allow more heat to pass through the window than a product with a

SHGC of 0.27.

2. U-factor
A window's U-factor is a measure of how much heat can escape a home by passing through the
window. A window's U-factor typically refers to the overall insulating properties of the window.
Much like SHGC, U-factors occur on a scale between 0 and 1 -- the lower the number, the better
insulation performance a window can provide. For instance, a window with a U-factor of 0.15 offers
more insulating properties than a window with a U-factor of 0.30.
Some NRFC labels carry additional supporting information about a replacement window's
performance.
3. Visible transmittance (VT)
VT refers to how much visible light a window product transmits. Like other window ratings, it's
expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The higher the VT rating, the more visible light the window
allows to pass through. So a window with VT rating of 0.50 permits much less light transmittance
than a window with a VT rating of 0.75.
4. Air leakage
This rating refers to how much air infiltration a window product permits. According to the NFRC, air
leakage standards typically range between 0.1 and 0.3, with lower numbers indicating reduced air
leakage. An air-leakage rating is optional for manufacturers.

Window efficiency features

Some of the following features, taken alone or used together, can help a window product achieve
greater energy efficiency by lowering SHGC or U-factor values.

1. Low-emissivity or low-E coatings

Low-E windows feature a special coating on the window pane glass that reduces heat transfer,
meaning it can prevent heat from entering a home in warm climates or prevent heat from leaving a
home through a window in cooler climates. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, windows that
feature low-E coatings cost 10 to 15 percent more than non-coated windows on average.
2. Insulated windows
Insulated windows feature more than one pane of glass to provide a layer of insulation between the
panes. Usually available in double- or triple-pane configurations, the sealed layer or layers of air or
gas between the panes helps prevent heat transfer or escape.
3. Gas-filled windows
Some manufacturers offer insulated windows that are filled with gases like argon or krypton instead
of air. These gases are inert, and don't react to other substances. They also offer better thermal
resistance than air, resulting in greater insulation and improved energy efficiency.