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Consumer Ratings for Replacement Windows: Keeping it Simple

Most consumers find the intricacies of window performance something of a mystery. In the old days a window was just that, a window. Today there are good windows and bad windows and consumer ratings for replacement windows are the guidelines that help us discern them.

The NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) is a non-profit organization that has mad it their business to make things easier for consumers. Their aim is to provide us with accurate and uniform information about the energy performance of windows. This means that homeowners can consult the NFRC label to judge and compare different brands.

The two most important energy ratings you will find on their labels are the U-factor and Solar Heat Gain. The U-factor refers to the rate of heat loss and is particularly significant in colder areas where heat loss contributes to rising energy costs. Windows with low U-factor keep the warm air in and the cold air out.

The Solar heat Gain is a measure referring to the rate that heat is gained. This is a significant issue in hot climates where air conditioned interiors need to be preserved.

Other helpful consumer ratings for replacement windows are encapsulated in the Energy Star label. The U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) have collaborated to develop this helpful designation for windows that meet certain specific energy criteria. Recommendations are tailored for four climate zones: a "mostly heating" zone in the north, a "mostly cooling" zone in the south and two "heating and cooling" in the north and south central areas.

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