Replacement Window Ratings Explained
An Explanation of Replacement Window Ratings
For Your Corpus Christi, TX, Home
Understanding The Ratings Will Help You Find The
Best Window For Your Home
When it comes time to shop for replacement windows in your Corpus Christi, TX, home, you will discover several window ratings in your search. Window ratings are an essential factor in your product’s efficiency and performance. Knowing what they represent is the key to finding windows that fit your needs and budget.
The window rating of a replacement window is all about energy efficiency. We all strive to be as energy efficient as possible with rising utility costs and climate change throughout the United States. Your replacement windows are a great starting point to ensure your Corpus Christi, TX, home is performing as efficiently as possible.
To help ease the frustration of finding the right windows for your project, let’s take a look at some of the basics, so you can make a more informed decision.
Why Are Windows Ratings Important?
Why do so many people worry about the energy rating of a replacement window? A window is a window, right? Wrong!
The window you choose will affect you and your home both directly and indirectly. A window with a higher rating will yield natural light, and block out noise and extreme temperatures. However, if you choose the wrong type, you may find yourself uncomfortable in your own home, or worse, you may have an unnecessary spike in utility bills.
With the best-rated window, you will find the following:
- Your heating and cooling bills are lowered
- You could qualify for tax credits since you have chosen items that meet specific energy-efficient ratings
- You are being kind to the environment
Hence, the window rating you go with significantly impacts multiple facets of your life.
How Are Ratings Delivered?
Windows go through a complex process to be given an energy-efficiency rating. Five components are graded to provide the overall rating. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
This test will measure how much heat is gained through the window unit by an influx of solar radiation. The idea is that when replacing your windows, you want to reduce the amount of solar radiation that is passing through and into your home.
A score of 0 to 1 is considered the standard for the industry. Anything above these numbers is considered harmful and will negatively affect your indoor climate.
2. Visible Transmittance
Visible transmittance is a measure of the total light that can pass through the glass in the window. Ideally, this will tell everyone just how much light will be able to get through into your home.
You will want a window with a high score in visible transmittance, especially when trying to lighten up a dark space.
3. U-Factor
The U-factor measures how much heat can flow through the window from inside your home to the outside. In general, the lower the U-factor is in a window rating, the more energy efficient the window is considered to be.
4. Air Leakage
The air leakage will measure the air and heat loss through the gaps around the frame or the window seal. It is similar to what the U-factor measures, but it only measures around the window. The lower the measure,, the better the window’s energy efficiency.
5. Condensation Resistance
Condensation that forms inside the window is measured by condensation resistance. The lower the rating, the better the overall window rating, which means condensation is less likely to happen.
What Is The Best Window Replacement Option For You?
Many homeowners focus on aesthetics only when choosing their window replacement, but the most important factor should always be energy efficiency.
While it’s important to love the look and feel of your windows – after all, they’re an integral part of your home – you need to pay close attention to their rating.
Remember, the more energy efficient the window is rated will ensure that you are not losing cold or warm air from your interior to outside, and vice versa. With that said, the US Department of Energy has some guidelines to ensure you get the best window replacement options for your home based on the window’s location.
The guidelines for our warmer Corpus Christi, TX, climate are as follows:
- Windows that face north should have a low U-factor score
- If the window faces south, it should have a low solar heat gain coefficient and a low U-factor
- For east-facing windows, you want a low SHGC and a low U-factor
- Any west-facing window should have a low SHGC and a low U-factor
Ultimately, you will want to find a window replacement with the lowest U-factor and SHGC score to best work with our climate.
Do You Need Replacement Windows
Understanding how replacement windows are rated helps you to see why it may be in your best interest to consider more energy-efficient windows. However, how do you know when your home may need replacement windows?
If you have any of the following, it could point to your home needing replacement windows:
- Drafts
- Higher energy bills
- Condensation on the windows
- Visible damage to the window or frame
- Windows do not open or shut properly
- Hearing more noise from the outside
- Windows will not lock properly
Window replacement will often be your best bet if you have one or more of these signs. Not only will you have beautiful windows, but these will be more energy efficient and increase the safety of your home since they shut and lock properly.
Free Consultation For Window Replacement In
Corpus Christi, TX
If your windows need replacing in your Corpus Christi, TX, home, then it is time to contact the professionals at PureTree for a free consultation. We offer a no-obligation, no-pressure process to help you decide on the best path forward.
Our professionals will determine if your current windows are failing in your home and help you choose replacement windows that work for your needs and budget.
Remember, when windows show signs they need replacing, it is best to do so as soon as possible. Contact us today or call us at 361-470-3456 to schedule a consultation!