When you shop for replacement windows for your window installation project, expect them to have two labels: one from the National Fenestration Rating Council® (NFRC) and the other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® program. But what’s the difference between these two labels?
How Important Are the Two Labels?
Energy efficiency is the ability of your home to ensure the interior temperatures remain stable so you can reduce indoor heating and cooling requirements, and consequently lower energy consumption. This is made possible through our replacement windows’ various features. These include our Fibrex® frame material and High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass. Their combined function allows for the prevention of heat loss during cold days and solar heat gain during hot days.
Remember that no two homes are exactly alike, which is why choosing a replacement casement window is subject to different specifications.
What’s the Difference?
The blue-colored ENERGY STAR label indicates whether or not a window unit has met strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. government for a specific region. It is represented as a color-coded map, and the states that are shaded mean the unit is ENERGY STAR-qualified for those areas.
Below it is the NFRC label, which allows you to compare several energy-efficient products by providing individual energy performance ratings in multiple categories. These include the U-factor, the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), air leakage (AL), visible transmittance (VL) and condensation resistance. Each of these comes in numbers to give you a more accurate reading.
Renewal by Andersen® of Milwaukee can help you choose the best windows to help you increase energy efficiency. Expect us to also discuss the ratings on the labels during our consultation.
Call us at (262) 522-3034, or fill out our contact form to request a free in-home consultation. We serve residents of Milwaukee, WI, and the surrounding areas.
