Things To Consider When Purchasing Energy-Efficient Replacement Windows

Many people choose to purchase replacement windows because their current windows aren't as energy efficient as they'd like — they want windows that help keep the heat in their house in the winter and out of their house in the summer. However, if you're purchasing replacement windows to improve your home's energy efficiency, you need to understand how windows are rated. This way, you can easily choose the correct energy-efficient windows for your home.

Solar Heat Gain and E-Class Efficiency Ratings

Energy Star rated windows have a solar-heat coefficient rating, as well as an E-class rating. To be considered Energy Star certified, a window needs to have a rating of 0.35 or below in both categories. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that you need to buy replacement windows that have solar heat gain and E-class ratings at 0.35 or below to improve your home's energy efficiency.

If your house is located in an area that has a hot, humid climate, you'll want to pay attention to the solar heat coefficient rating. This number tells you how well the window works to keep heat out of your house, which isn't as important if you live in a northern state that doesn't regularly have extremely hot weather.

A window's E-class rating tells you how efficient the window is at keeping harmful UV rays outside. Remember, the lower the window's E-class rating, the less wide-band heat waves will enter your home through the glass. Whether you're concerned about harmful UV rays or not is completely up to you. However, if you live in an area where the sun always seems to be shining brightly, you might want to think about purchasing replacement windows with a low E-class rating.

U-Factor and R-Value Ratings

Window manufacturers assign R-value and U-factor ratings to the windows they produce to make it easier for consumers to compare different windows for energy efficiency. If you're looking for windows that will help insulate your home, you need to review the R-value rating on any windows that you are considering. A R-value rating begins at 0.90 and increases. The higher the R-value rating, the more insulation a window provides. If purchasing replacement windows that provide good insulation is important to you, look for windows with a R-value of three or higher.

The U-factor rating tells you how well a window works to keep heat inside your house. So, if you live in an area that is prone to harsh winter weather, you need to compare the U-factor rating of different replacement windows before making a purchase. U-factor rating numbers range between 0.25 and 1.25 — the lower the rating number, the better the window is at keeping heat inside your house.

Purchasing energy-efficient windows isn't difficult if you understand what different window ratings indicate. Once you understand how windows are rated for energy efficiency, all you need to do is choose replacement windows that have the correct ratings for your climate. For more information, see this website.

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