Energy-efficient windows are a coveted product all over San Diego because of their energy-saving and money-saving benefits. If you are looking for the best, highly energy-efficient replacement windows in the market, we offer options that meet or exceed industry standards, proven and certified by the NFRC. If you want to know more about what this means, we’ve got your back with this NFRC window labels guide that serves to help you and our customers understand what these labels and certification mean and why they matter.
NFRC Labels
You may have seen these stickers, but do you know what the numbers and ratings mean? These stickers are issued by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), a nonprofit organization of the US Department of Energy. The meaning of the numbers on NFRC stickers will be broken down in the next sections. While it may not always mean these ratings and the jargon on the labels are easy to analyze, we can help you decipher them by looking at some of the most common types of windows and doors on the market. When it comes to improving homes, a common goal of modern homeowners is to ensure that their homes are as energy-efficient as possible. It’s essential to understand what you are buying so you can make the best decision for your home.
When certifying a particular model, NFRC takes a handful of factors into account, and a number of these labels will help you choose the most energy-efficient model for your home. Some of the information you can learn from these labels on how much light can pass through the window, how much air comes out of the device, and how effective the windows are in making your home more comfortable is essential in the window selection process. If you are perplexed and unsure about what the window labels tell you or what you should aim for, in terms of the rating area for your windows, your window expert on-site can also help you determine the level of assessment that is appropriate for your area of application. The NFRC however, does not recommend buying any particular type of windows as the labels mainly serve to help you compare the wide variety of window options available in the market so you can choose the right product for your lifestyle and budget. There are many different types of windows and doors on the market for sale. Each window and door is certified by an independent, non-profit organization, abiding by their strict requirements. If you want to save more energy with this upgrade, it is a good idea to check the labels to make sure you are investing in a decent, quality product.
Primary Measurements of an NFRC Label
Those who have already purchased their windows for replacements have probably seen a variety of windows with different energy-efficient labels on them as they were browsing. NFRC certification is provided by third-party laboratories that test the windows, and according to their strict requirements, NFRC evaluations have been shown to be accurate and reliable. As you scout options for replacement windows, always consider whether the reviews and their ratings complement each other. When you have chosen the type of material you want for your windows, whether it be, aluminum, fibreglass or PVC windows, the next step is to choose the perfect product style for your home and to get a full list of NFRC ratings. Reviews of windows based on NFRC ratings will help you shorten the list of brands and manufacturers to choose from.
It is also important to remember that the primary NFRC assessment requires proper window installation. The evaluation of the NFRC measures four primary qualities: the U-factor tells you how well the window insulates, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measurement tells you at what speed the product conducts non-solar heat flows, Air Leakage refers to the passage volume of air through the window, and Visible Transmittance indicates the amount of light your window allows into your home.
U-Factor
When purchasing new windows, you can find which windows work the best for your climate based on the information provided on its Energy Star label. The number indicates how much heat the window coating holds in your home, and it is between 0.2 and 1.2. This number measures the amount of non-solar heat that a window coating conducts. You can then determine the ideal U-factor for your windows based on your climate zone. U factor tends to fall in the range of 0.20 – 1.20, so look for products with a low U factor when buying energy-efficient windows.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient or the ‘SHGC’ indicates how effective the window is at dissipating radiant heat from the sun, and it is specified in the NFRC label by a number between 0 and 1.This number measures how well the product can prevent solar heat from entering the window. A window that lets in less solar heat causes more heat loss. SHGC tracks the amount of sunlight that falls directly or indirectly on your windows. This measurement is represented by a number that indicates how much heat is absorbed by your window and indirectly transferred into your home. A product with a high SHGC number allows more warming sunlight into your home in colder months, while windows with a low SHGC number means that it blocks the sun’s radiant heat in warmer months. The SHGC rating ideal for your window will greatly depend on a lot of factors, but mainly surrounding the climate of the area you live in. If you live in a hot, sunny climate like Arizona, you want a small number to prevent heat, and the same goes for the U factor. For example, if you live in a balanced climate, where winters are cold and summers are hot, you will want a solar energy heat gain of about 0, but if you live in the most frigid climate, you will want higher figures. For those who live in balanced climates, where winters are cold and summers are warm and sunny, the smaller number is desirable, given the window’s ability to prevent heat from entering.
Air Leakage
Air leaks are measured by indicating how much air the windows let into the home, and a lower number indicates that a solid product lets in less air, which means less draft. It is important to note that this evaluation is voluntary, and not all manufacturers mention it on their NFRC labels. According to the NFRC tests, it is a good indicator of how much outside air will enter your home. It depends a lot on where you live, and below the label indicates the region of the country it is best suited for.
Visible Transmittance
Visual transmission (VT for short) indicates how much visible light a window allows into your home. If you enjoy natural sunlight entering your home through your windows, pay attention to the visible transmission rate. This indicates how much sunlight passes through the glass without causing obstacles, including things like windows and grilles. A number of factors can affect VT, including the color of the glass itself and any special coating that may be on it (including tinted glass). Products with a high VT rating like clear glass without coating, let in more natural light, while products with a low VT rating let in more color. Some windows use different shades to control the amount of light that can enter the room.
VT rating represents a number between 0 and 1, with a high number being the best VT, and a low number as the worst. You may want a higher or lower number for certain windows depending on whether they get a lot of sun or shadow. Much visible light will fall through your window during the day, so any coating added to improve energy efficiency can sacrifice some of these visible lights
Condensation Resistance
Another important measurement that does not form part of the primary list is Condensation Resistance. It measures the ability of a window to prevent the formation of condensation inside.The higher the number, the better the window is with protection against condensation, but not all labels have this rating. However, those who live in humid climates or are worried about mould formation should pay attention to its “condensation resistance class” that is measured on a scale of 1 to 100. If the rating is between 0 and 100, select the window with the highest number possible and select it as a replacement window.
ENERGY STAR® Labels
If your window has the ENERGY STAR label, it should help you achieve a more energy-efficient home. The ENERGY STAR program is used to qualify products for certification. Products are tested, certified, and labeled so you can be sure they work as they are advertised. This recognition is issued by the government and if the window receives this seal, it must meet strict climatic – specific requirements. ENERGY STAR has a set of strict standards requirements to guarantee the delivery of high performing energy-efficient windows. This makes sure that when you invest in new windows and replace them with ENERGY STAR® qualified windows, you can significantly improve your home’s thermal comfort and energy consumption by reducing the amount of damaging UV entering, including reducing the amount of money spent on heating and cooling costs. Old windows tend to perform poorly with keeping excess cold and hot air out and contribute massively to higher utility bills. You can expect to 7 -15 % annually on energy bills when you upgrade to Energy Star windows.
Choosing Energy Efficient Replacement Windows
When buying new windows, the first thing you should always check is the ENERGY STAR label, especially when energy-efficiency is a priority. The window label can say a lot about the product’s performance and energy efficiency, so you should compare different brands and window types to ultimately help you choose the window that is right for your home.
Consider Milgard Windows with double and triple panes of glass with inert gases as they offer great insulating abilities. They have spacers that help reduce the flow of heat and prevent mold and condensation build-up. They also have coatings with a low emissivity (“low-E”) glass that bounces off heat energy and UV rays away to support more insulation and add more protection to your home inside and out, reducing fading in your furniture to as much as 75%. A recent review of 28 high-performance windows showed that in the study period of 25 years, they experienced a 20% reduction in heat gain and a 65% reduction in heating costs. The cooling rate is reduced by 60% at night, and reduced by 50% in the summer. Some windows last 20-30 years, and even longer in the hands of a quality installer. In addition, most windows have a lifespan of 50 – 75 years, and windows can last even longer. If you do not need to replace your windows for a couple of years, consider making your windows last a few more decades.
Next Steps
Now that you have learned what these labels mean, we hope you feel more confident in your windows or the windows you will be choosing for your home. Consider new windows for your home improvement project as most newer models have the technology you will be looking for with the additional benefit of improved and enhanced materials and window capabilities that provide ultimate comfort and lasting qualities.
Installing high-performing, energy-efficient replacement windows is always a wise decision, but with all these different labels on energy-efficiency, it can be difficult to know whether you are choosing the right one for your home. Energy-efficient windows on its own also do not guarantee freedom from drafts and condensation as this all boils down to proper installation. Whenever you are in doubt, seek the professionals for expert recommendations. Contact us today and we can advise the best windows for your home and help you get started on your home improvement plans.
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