Doing your research is the first step to buying new replacement windows. One of the key factors you should consider when purchasing replacement windows is energy efficiency. Making sure your windows are energy efficient can save you a lot of money in energy bills down the line, and also keep your home better insulated.
Before deciding to buy energy-efficient windows for your home, it is important to understand windows’ performance ratings. The best energy-efficient windows have high-performance ratings, which is something you should consider before your purchase.
In this post, we’ll uncover five key factors you should consider when it comes to replacing your windows with new energy-efficient windows in St. Charles, Illinois:
1. Air Leakage Rating
One of the most common problems of inefficient heating and cooling in a home is leaking windows or door frames. If the window is not properly airtight, it will not insulate your home very well.
Air leakage window ratings should not be overlooked. no matter how good the frame is, or how solid the glass is, this factor will affect how well the window performs. Technically, the lower the Air Leakage number, the better. For a quality energy-efficient window, you should generally look for an A.10 or lower Air rating.
2. U-Factor Value
The U-factor value of a window essentially represents the amount of heat that flows through a window. A lower U-factor value means less air is able to escape, and the window will do a much better job at insulating a house. A U-factor value of .30 or below is a good standard to aim for.
3. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) Value
The solar heat gain coefficient rating—or SHGC rating for short—measures the amount of solar radiation passing through the window, and how much of this actually gets released as heat into your home. In order to be considered energy-efficient, replacement windows need to have an SHGC rating of at least 0.25 or lower. Higher values of SHGC denotes more heat being transmitted through the glass of the window. If you live in a colder climate, a higher SHGC value is better, and for warmer climates, a lower number is more desirable.
4. DP Rating
The design pressure of a window—or DP Rating—basically represents how much load a window can take, and measures the strength of the window against several factors including static snow, high force winds, and water penetration. Windows with a DP rating of over 50 (DP50) are considered to be ideal. However, in certain cases, DP35 rated windows are also okay as long as they are AAMA Gold Label Certified.
5. AAMA Certification
When it comes to replacement windows, you get what you pay for. There are many residential windows available in the market that are not AAMA certified. The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Certification Program requires that certain standards be maintained in manufacturing, and that the windows pass certain performance tests. This ensures the credibility and integrity of the replacement windows. When you buy AAMA certified windows, you can be rest assured that the window manufacturing meets high standards and the product is tested to perform well.
Your local window replacement company can help you select the best energy-efficient windows for your home that meet your needs and your budget.
Need to get your windows replaced with new, energy-efficient windows in St. Charles, Illinois?
With over 30+ years of service in the St. Charles area, we can help you determine the best new window replacement options for your home. As your knowledgeable partner, we offer completely transparent and personalized window replacement solutions to meet your unique needs.
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