|
|
Heat gain and loss through windows is responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. When shopping for new windows, it's important to choose the most efficient windows you can afford that work best in your climate.
Here are some tips for window selection.
You should always:
- Look for the ENERGY STAR® and National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) energy-efficiency labels.
- Consider selecting gas-filled windows with low e-coatings to reduce heat loss in colder climates and windows with coatings to reduce heat gain in warmer climates.
- Choose windows with a low U-factor (the rate a window conducts nonsolar heat flow) for better thermal resistance in colder climates.
- Choose windows with a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC—a measure of solar radiation admitted through a window) to reduce heat gain in warm climates.
- Choose windows with both low U-factors and low SHGCs to maximize energy savings in temperate climates with both cold and hot seasons.
- Look for whole-unit U-factors and SHGCs, rather than center-of-glass U-factors and SHGCs to get more accurate information on the energy performance of the entire product.
Homeowners who replace windows are also eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $600.
|
|
Each week, Energy Saver sends you tips and facts to help you save more energy and money at home. |
|
|
|
