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Choosing Energy-Efficient Home Replacement Windowsby AJ FanterRefacing Cabinet Columnist Looking to make your home more energy-efficient? One of the most effective ways of enhancing your home's energy efficiency while reducing your home energy bill is installing replacement windows. Here are some tips from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) on choosing energy-efficient replacement windows. Replacement Window Tips from the ExpertsSince the 1970s energy crisis, the NFRC has been helping consumers make more energy-efficient purchases by testing and labeling skylights, windows, and doors for energy performance. These ratings, which can be found on the on the NFRC label, enable you to make a fair and thorough comparison of different fenestration products. When shopping for home replacement windows you'll want to select from those featuring NFRC labels, that way you can be confident that the ratings provided are accurate and unbiased.Replacement Window PerformanceWhen it comes to new and replacement windows, the NFRC looks at five key areas: U-factor or insulation/thermal transmission, air leakage, condensation resistance, Solar Heat Gain, and visible transmittance. The most important factors are the U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient.If your home is located in a colder climate, you'll want to choose replacement windows with a lower U-factor, because the lower the U-factor, the less heat loss there will be in the winter. If your home has a high air conditioning bill, you'll want to look for replacement windows that have a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). That’s because the lower the SHGC, the less heat will come in through your windows when it's hot outside. Energy Star Replacement WindowsOne of the most effective ways to choose an energy-efficient home window is to choose a replacement window that features an Energy Star label. This can be quite helpful particularly if you live an area of the country that faces hot summers and cold winters. The reason? The Energy Star labels, which have been developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the E.P.A., offer ratings for several different climate zones, allowing you to choose the best home replacement window for your region.Keep these ratings in mind, and you'll be on your way to choosing the best replacement windows for your home. Source
AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV. |
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