More About Energy Efficient Window Ratings

When you’re shopping for replacement windows for your Minneapolis home, you have a lot of choices to make and things to compare and evaluate. Of course there’s the style of the window, the material, and the brand. But don’t forget about that sticker with all those numbers on it.  Many people will glance at that white sticker without paying much attention to it. The sales person may even point it out and talk about it. But do you understand what those terms and numbers mean?

If you’re in the market for new windows, the ratings ought to matter a great deal. Those numbers ought to be your comparison basis and form a substantial part of your decision making process. We’d like to simplify things for you with this post.

Checking the NFRC Window Ratings

First of all, you should NEVER buy a window that doesn’t have a sticker like this.  What is the NFRC?  The National Fenestration Rating Council is a non-profit, independent organization that evaluates and rates any fenestration product.  (They also do quite a lot to educate both industry professionals and the general public.) “Fenestration” is just a technical term for an opening in a building, and this includes windows, doors, and skylights.

There are two ratings that are shown as stickers on the windows and they have a rating range to think about.

• The NFRC certification is the first, and it is the one that shows the window is energy efficient.  The window should also have the Energy Star Label; you can be assured you’re chosing from among the best windows for your home with both of these stickers. Note that the rating label shown above (a sample label from a Marvin window), has the Energy Star insignia right on the ratings label. Some windows may have a separate Energy Star sticker.

You’ll notice the label has quite a  bit of information.  It should cover or indicate:

• U-Value
• Solar Heat Gain
• Air Leakage
• Visible Light Transmittance
• Condensation Resistance
• Reliable Window Replacement

These factors are all need to be taken into consideration. The better the rating, the better the window will be in terms of energy efficient performance. (To find out just what each of these terms means, you can read this in-depth post.)

If you’re ready to replace the windows in your home, we are here to help. Give us a call today and we can discuss the many brands of energy-efficient windows.  We are a licensed Minnesota home improvement contractor specializing in replacement windows, and we serve the greater Minneapolis area. 

 

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.