As time goes by, consumers are becoming smarter with their purchases. They are more aware of factors such as eco-friendliness and energy efficiency. Most consumers look for the ENERGY STAR® rating when shopping for appliances. It verifies products that use 20 to 30 percent less energy than their counterparts.
Energy-efficient windows will cut your electric bills and make your home more comfortable. The following factors determine whether a window can be an ENERGY STAR window. Silver Leaf Contracting, one of the area’s most trusted window companies, describes them here.
U-factor
ENERGY STAR rating for windows varies by region. In northern climates, a low U-factor and higher SHGC window will receive an ENERGY STAR rating. This means your home is well insulated and enjoys passive solar heat from the windows. In southern climates, the least U-factor rating is a bit higher, but the SHGC is lower. This reduces the amount of excess solar heat in the home. That’s why it’s so important to buy the right ENERGY STAR windows for your location.
AL
Air Leakage rating measures the amount of air that enters through the frame and joints. A lower AL rating means less air flows through. Your trusted window and siding companies are well aware of this factor. Besides the regional energy efficiency, windows must also get rated for air leakage. All windows must have an AL rating of less than 0.3 cubic feet of air for each square foot of window space. Only then will they get an ENERGY STAR certification.
SHGC
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures the amount of heat-causing light that goes through a window. Lower SHGC means less solar heat goes in. Skylight windows have lighter ENERGY STAR requirements than other windows. The U-factor can be much higher, and the SHGC doesn’t have to be as low in southern locations. A low U-factor skylight in a northern home will allow a fair amount of heat to escape through the window.
For your next home improvement project, work only with the best window contractors. You can depend on Silver Leaf Contracting for premier ENERGY STAR windows. Call us today at (330) 236-4010 to discuss your options.
