subject: Choosing the Top Energy-Efficient Replacement Window for Your Home [print this page] Choosing the Top Energy-Efficient Replacement Window for Your Home
If you are trying to reduce your monthly home heating and cooling bills, a good place to start is by replacing your old, drafty and inefficient replacement windows.
Today's window designers have given us windows that are engineered to do a much better job of keeping your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
This is especially important in regions like New England, where temperatures can range from very hot and humid in the summer, to icy cold in the winter.
But with so many options available how do you choose the best window? How do you know if replacement windows will do the job for you? Industry standards have been established that allow you to compare the performance of different replacement windows. These tests have been conducted by an independent organization, the National Fenestration Research Council (NFRC).
Here is what to look for on your window's NFRC label:
U-Value
The most important measure of a window's performance is its U-value. The U-value indicates the rate of heat flow through a window. The lower the U-value, the more energy efficient the window will be. U-value measures the entire window unit glass, frame, sash, spacers and is the only measurement accepted by the U.S. Department of Energy's EnergyStar program.
R-Value
R-value is the measure of the resistance of glass to the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the better the glass will be at insulating your home. BUT, R-value is NOT an accepted form of measurement by the National Fenestration Research Council (NFRC) or EnergyStar, as it does not measure the overall window unit.
What is the NFRC?
The National Fenestration Research Council (NFRC) is an independent, non-profit organization that administers the only nationally accepted rating system for energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights. The NFRC provides fair, accurate and reliable energy performance ratings so that architects, engineers, builders, code officials, contractors and homeowners can compare different products and make informed choices.
Look for the NFRC label on any window you purchase.
