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Not all energy saving windows are made the same. So if you are looking for new panes for your Michigan home, it’s wise to read up on energy performance ratings, and what they mean. The energy performance rating of a window tells you its potential for heat gain and loss, along with how much sunlight it will let into your home. The National Fenestration Council, or NFRC, is a nonprofit group that provides information for customers looking for energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights. When you look at the NFRC label on any ENERGY STAR® window, you’ll find its energy performance rating.
Here are 5 things you need to know about energy saving windows and their performance:
1. A window’s U-Factor is the rate at which it conducts non-solar heat. The lower a window’s U-factor, the better it is at saving energy.
2. The solar heat gain coefficient, or SHGC, represents the amount of solar radiation that is allowed through a window, which then translates to heat inside your home. The lower the SHGC on a window, the better it will shade your home. Windows with higher SHGC ratings will keep your home warmer during the winter, and those with a low SHGC rating will keep it cooler during the summer.
3. Air leakage represents the amount of air movement around a window. Tighter windows have a lower air leakage rating.
4. Visible transmittance, or VT is the portion of the visible spectrum of sunlight that is transmitted through a window. Windows with a higher VT transmit more visible light.
Opting for energy-efficient windows for your Michigan home will keep your living space more comfortable and provide you with significant cost savings. Along with lowering your heating and cooling bills, energy saving windows may also get you a tax credit. Of course, no window will perform the way it should if it is not properly installed. That’s why you should always trust an experienced professional for the installation of new windows. Our goal at Renewal by Andersen of Greater Michigan is keeping your home looking and feeling great. Learn more about energy-efficient windows and doors by reaching out to our team at Renewal by Andersen and calling us at (866) 609-5033. We’d be glad to schedule your complimentary in-home consultation and tell you more about our energy-efficient options.
5. Light-to-solar gain, also known as LSG, measures the ratio between SHGC and VT. The higher this number, the more light is transmitted without heat. This rating is not always included.