The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) advances the development of energy-efficient windows. Fenestration is the arrangement of windows and other openings in a building. NFRC provides a product’s energy performance ratings in various categories. Renewal by Andersen® of New Jersey-New York Metro describes these ratings here.
U-Factor
This rating measures how well a window can keep heat from escaping the inside of a room. The lower the number in the range 0.20 – 1.20, the better the product keeps heat in. Look for lower numbers when choosing windows.
SHGC
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient grades how well a product can withstand heat gain. This is especially important during the summer cooling season. The lower the number, the less you’ll spend on cooling. Look for low numbers in the range 0 – 1 when choosing picture windows.
VT
Visible Transmittance measures how well a product allows daylight into your home. It is the amount of light in the visible part of the spectrum that passes through a window. It allows you to save by using less artificial lighting. The higher the number in the range 0 – 1, the more natural light enters.
Air Leakage
This rating measures how much air will enter a room through possible gaps in a product. The lower the number, the fewer drafts you’ll experience. When choosing casement windows look for low numbers in the range 0.1-0.3.
Condensation
NFRC also rates how much condensation a product allows. This rating is optional for manufacturers to include, so it may or may not be on the product’s label. The higher the number, the better a product resists condensation.
Turn to Renewal by Andersen® of New Jersey-New York Metro for energy-efficient windows. We serve homeowners in Staten Island, New Jersey, and other nearby areas. Give us a call at (866) 609-5033 to learn more about NFRC rated windows.
