While you know that energy-efficient windows can save your customers money, did you know that they can also help your company reduce your carbon footprint? When you’re shopping for windows and doors for your customers, it’s important to understand the importance of window ratings. But how do you know which products are best for your company and its customers?
A good place to start is by understanding what rating system products are based on. To help you shop, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the different types of energy-efficient windows. Let’s jump in and see which windows are right for your business.
The U-Factor Rating and Heat Loss
The U-factor is the measurement of heat loss through a window. It’s a measure of how well a window insulates against heat. It’s measured in BTUs per square foot per degree Fahrenheit. The lower your U-factor, the better your windows will be at keeping out summertime heat and wintertime cold.
The U-Factor plays an important role in how well your window insulates. On average, the U-Factor value should be somewhere between 0.20 and 1.20. The lower your U-Factor rating is, the better your window insulates. Understanding this rating will help you know which windows will keep your customer’s home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
The VT Rating and Light
The VT rating is the measure of how much visible light is transmitted through a window. It’s measured in a percentage that can range from 0% to 100%. A zero means no visible light and 100 means all of the visible light. The VT rating is important for rooms with a lot of natural light, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
The VT also affects rooms with artificial lighting, like living rooms with lamps or bedrooms with overhead lights on throughout the day. If your building or customer’s home gets a lot of natural light, this is a great rating to look closely at. With a lot of windows in a room or building, you’ll want to make sure the property is protected from sunlight.
The VT rating will help keep furniture and paint, for example, from fading from too much sunlight. It will also help make sure homes or buildings don’t get too hot during the summer and on sunny days. Your customers will save a ton of money on air conditioning during hot months knowing their building or home is protected.
The Air Leakage Rate in Older Homes
The Air Leakage rate is a measure of how much air gets into or out of a house through cracks in the building’s envelope. It’s important because it’s one of the biggest contributors to energy loss in older homes. It can also be used to help determine if new windows are going to be worth their cost.
Air leakage is measured as cubic feet per minute (CFM) at a pressure difference of 50 Pascals (Pa). For example, if you open up an average window with no wind blowing outside, its air leakage rate will measure around 0 CFM at 50 Pa.
If you then close that same window and turn on an oscillating fan in front of it at high speed, you’ll see a different result. With no obstructions between them like furniture, for example, their air-leakage rating could increase by as much as 100 times. If you’re working on an older home, this is a great rating to keep an eye on.
For commercial buildings, speak to your window experts about the air leakage rate. This will help make sure you don’t lose heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. Save money on heating and cooling by choosing windows with a low air leakage rate. This will be the case with all new energy-efficient windows.
Condensation Resistance in Winter and Summer
Condensation Resistance is measured in terms of the amount of water vapor that can be held by a surface for an extended period without condensation forming on that surface. The higher the number, the more resistant a product will be to condensation.
The ASTM E-1702-96 standard allows manufacturers to test at different temperatures. The higher temperatures simulate extreme weather conditions like very hot summers or cold winters. This is where windows may be exposed to high amounts of moisture in the air for long periods of time.
For example, when windows are exposed to high temperatures during summer months, then you should consider choosing products with higher R values. This makes sure you don’t get condensation inside.
Wood frames with Low-E glass have an R-value between 1.2-2 per inch depending on the insulation type used inside the wall cavity. This means they will perform better than their metal-frame counterparts if installed correctly.
Why Energy-Efficient Windows Are Important
Energy-efficient windows are rated by their performance. The most common rating systems are the U-factor, VT rating, and Air Leakage Rate (ALR). This is important to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
With older windows, you could literally be watching your money fly out the window. It’s important to keep your energy inside your home and the elements out. New windows still allow natural light in while not letting hot and cold air in or out.
In older homes, it’s even more important to upgrade your windows. You don’t want to waste precious money and energy on old windows with leaks and gaps. This is also important in making sure a building or home has a consistent temperature throughout.
Save Money and Shop New Windows and Window Ratings Today
The best windows and doors are those that are energy-efficient. They help your business and customers save money on utility bills, reduce their carbon footprint, and create a healthier home environment. This is where shopping with window ratings is key.
Knowing the ratings helps you choose wisely when making decisions about what type of product works best for your business. To learn more about what windows are energy efficient and more, fill out the contact form here. We’re here to help you with all your window needs whether it’s one window or 20.
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