Energy efficiency is crucial for window replacements in Wheat Ridge, CO and beyond. Your windows’ energy efficiency makes a big impact on how comfortable your home is and how big of an effect you make on the environment. Not to mention, energy efficient windows can save you a lot of money on your energy bill.
There are a lot of types and styles of energy efficient windows out there, and it can be hard to keep them all straight. Luckily, most windows these days are conveniently labeled with their energy efficiency ratings to make it easier for you to quickly determine which one is right for you home.
The National Fenestration Rating Council, or NFRC, rates and certifies most windows on the market. The NFRC then gives them labels to help you make an informed decision when shopping for either replacement or new construction windows. While these labels don’t tell you which windows to buy outright, they do provide general but clear information so you’re better equipped to make the right choice.
NFRC labels usually list ratings such as:
- U-Value – U-Value is the measure of the rate of non-solar heat gain or loss, typically through a material or construction choice. Tests to determine a window’s U-Value are generally conducted in simulated environments with 0 degree temperatures outside, 70 degrees inside and a 15 mile per hour wind speed. The lower a U-Value a window has, the more resistant it is to heat flow and the better it is at insulating your home.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient – Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC, is the amount of solar radiation that any particular window emits through both absorption and inward release. A low SHGC means that window transmits low amounts of solar heat, meaning it has good shading ability. Get low SHGC energy efficient vinyl windows if you live in particularly sunny climates, but high SHGC windows if you live in areas with lots of clouds or rain, like Washington.
- Visible Transmittance – Visible transmittance, or VT, is the percentage of visible light that a window transmits. In other words, it shows the amount of daylight an energy efficient vinyl window lets in. For example, a .55 VT window lets in 55% visible light. Since light is energy and energy is heat, lower VT rating mean cooler homes in sunny environments.
It’s also important to remember that different kinds of energy efficient windows with different ratings are more suited to climates and areas than others. Visit the Energy Star or NFRC website for a list of what ratings are ideal for your area so you can be better prepared before you go shopping.
Want to learn more about Wheat Ridge, CO window replacement? United Windows & Siding can help. Pay us a visit at 12090 W 50th Pl Unit B Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, or give us a call at 720-535-4767 for more information about our services and what we can do for you.
