The National Fenestration Rating Council, or NFRC, labels indicate the product’s energy ratings. In case of replacement windows, these ratings are important if you’re looking for energy-efficient units. As your expert in replacement windows in Portland, Oregon, Erin Isle Construction can help you understand these labels.
There are three ratings that are required in every NFRC label: U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), and visible transmittance (VT). There are also two additional ratings, air leakage and condensation resistance. These ratings are required for a product to qualify for an ENERGY STAR® certification.
U-Factor – This measures how efficient the product is from preventing indoor air to escape. The values are represented as a number between 0.15 and 1.20. If you need replacement windows in Portland, Oregon, that retain indoor heat, look for a lower U-factor. Note that U-factor is different from R-value, the latter of which measures resistance to heat loss.
SHGC – This measures how much solar heat is blocked by the product and comes with ratings between 0 and 1. This feature is typically controlled by low-E coatings. If your window happens to be taking in too much sun for comfort, look for a lower SHGC. Conversely, look for higher SHGC if your home requires more heating.
VT – VT measures how much visible light comes through a product. Ratings also come between 0 and 1. If you need to maximize natural lighting, choose a replacement window with a higher VT.
Air Leakage – This measures the amount of outside air that can get into a home or a building through a product. Ratings come in numbers between 0.1 and 0.3. The lower the number, the less air leakage potential there is. Note that this is an optional rating and may not appear on all NFRC labels.
Condensation resistance – This rates how well the product can resist condensation and is expressed as a number between 1 and 100. The higher the number, the better resistance. Like air leakage, this is an optional rating which may not appear on all NFRC labels.
Knowing these ratings can help you find the appropriate window replacement in Lake Oswego, OR. Erin Isle Construction offers replacement windows from leading manufacturers Simonton®, Milgard®, and Ply Gem®, all with favorable NFRC ratings.
If you like to learn more, call us today at (503) 691-9096 or fill out our contact form. We’ll be happy to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.