Energy Efficiency Terms You Should Know

A highly energy-efficient window makes for a good investment. It will improve living conditions in your home, leading to more energy savings. When looking for an energy-efficient product, it is essential that it comes with the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) seal, which indicates good energy efficiency.

Furthermore, being familiar with the different terms associated with energy efficiency helps a lot when selecting replacement windows in Waukesha. Renewal by Andersen® of Milwaukee discusses some of them.

What is the NFRC?

First, you should be familiar with the organization where these terms originated. The NFRC is a non-profit organization that reassures consumers that they are getting an energy-efficient product. They test, certify, and label an array of fenestration products, such as windows and doors.

Terms

There are many terms associated to energy efficiency, including:

• U-Factor – This measures the amount of heat from inside your home that can escape. The lower the number, the better your window is at keeping heat indoors.
• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) – This can be a number between zero and one. The lower the number, the better your window is at lessening solar heat gain, which is necessary during summer. Make sure to look for this information when checking prospective picture windows in Waukesha.
• Visible Transmittance (VT) – This measures the amount of light that enters your home. The higher the number, the better your window is in letting natural light indoors.
• Air Leakage – This measures the amount of air that enters your home. The lower the number, the better your window is at preventing drafts.
• Condensation Resistance – This is a measurement of how well a product can keep moisture from condensing in your windowpanes. This number can be between one and one hundred. The higher the number, the better the product is at resisting condensation. Take note that this is an optional rating.
• Water Infiltration – This value measures the amount of water and pressure that the product can resist to make sure water does not seep in. The higher the value, the better the window is at resisting water leakage.
• ENERGY STAR® – This is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency voluntary program. It aims to help businesses and consumers save money and protect our climate through ENERGY STAR-rated products.

At Renewal by Andersen of Milwaukee, we take pride in providing you with ENERGY-STAR-certified products. They come with insulating properties that will make your home more energy-efficient. For instance, our double hung window in Waukesha feature our Fibrex® frame composite that offers superior insulation.

It also comes with High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass that can help keep your home cooler, lessening your reliance on your HVAC units, which can drive up your energy bills. Couple these with our airtight installation and you have the assurance of enjoying the benefits of a highly energy-efficient product.

Call us today at (877) 977-3639 to learn more about energy efficiency.